WHAT happens inside the court, stays on the court.
Cliff Hodge always had that mindset and Wednesday night’s incident with Zavier Lucero in the PBA Philippine Cup game between Magnolia and defending champion Meralco was no exception.
“Everything on the court, stays on the court for me,” said Hodge, who got entangled with Lucero in a physical play late in the game of the Hotshots’ 117-92 win over the Bolts at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“After the game I just went to shake everybody’s hands and say congratulations to them.”
The incident happened in the final 2:16 and Magnolia way ahead, 112-89, when Hodge tackled Lucero at midcourt, claiming he was just trying the sophomore center from going for a fastbreak.
READ: Zavier Lucero wants Cliff Hodge punished for 'dirty play'
“I just tried to make sure he didn’t get a fastbreak layup,” was how Hodge described the play that sparked a near bench-clearing melee between the two teams.
“It is what it is.”
Hodge and Lucero initially had some heated verbal exchange before the Meralco veteran was whistled for a flagrant foul penalty one and had to sit down on the bench for the rest of the game.
But last season’s Defensive Player of the Year went back to the scorer’s table as he claimed hearing some words from the Magnolia aisde.
“They (Hotshots) were talking mess so I just go and asked them what they wanted to do. And then I go back to my bench and looked back and they’re still talking,” he recalled of the incident.
Hodge later asserted one of the Magnolia assistant coaches was headbutting his face in the middle of the pushing and shoving that happened just in front of the scorers’ table.
The 37-year-old power forward actually had a small bruise in his face, but said he doesn’t mind it, adding it was but part of the game.
“It is what it is,” said Hodge, who finished with 10 points and five rebounds in Meralco’s second straight loss.
“Basketball is basketball. It’s part of it.”
Lucero went ahead of the rest of the Hotshots to their dugout and didn’t see the end of the game.
“He didn’t come to shake hands. They all went to the locker room. It is what it is. So we’ll see,” Hodge added.
“I hope he doesn’t take it personal though.”
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