MERALCO is ready to play Phoenix in another duke out game with or without do-it-all forward Cliff Hodge.
The 35-year-old Hodge sprained his ankle late in the Bolts’ 116-107 triple overtime win over Phoenix at the start of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals Wednesday night and failed to finish the 63-minute game at the Philsports Arena.
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And while the winner-take-all match between the two teams for a berth in the semifinals won’t be played until Sunday yet at the Mall of Asia Arena, the team is ready for any eventuality.
“We have to be ready with or without Cliff Hodge,” declared Meralco coach Luigi Trillo after the fifth-seeded Bolts get to fight for another day following the hard-earned win.
“I’m just saying if Cliff can’t go, we have other guys. I have faith in Kyle (Pascual), Raymund (Almazan) and those other guys, too. We’re ready.”
Hodge’s shoes are definitely going to be a huge one to fill in.
The Fil-Am player had a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds before going out with 2:17 left in the first overtime and Phoenix leading, 91-90.
Hodge stepped on Tuffin's foot
Hodge apparently, stepped on the foot of rookie Ken Tuffin while going for a rebound. He never returned to the game after that.
“It was accidental. Tumalon siya and I think naapakan niya yung paa ng isang player. But that’s part of the game,” said Trillo without offering excuses.
And whether Hodge would be around or not, the Meralco coach still expects Sunday’s playoff game to be just as hard fought as their initial encounter.
“It’s going to be a hard game. It’s quality basketball. Both two good teams. We’re going to duke it out,” said Trillo.
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