MERALCO active consultant Nenad Vucinic wasn’t exactly in a confrontational mood with Magnolia team manager Alvin Patrimonio in the light of the altercation that tainted the PBA Philippine Cup game between the Hotshots and the defending champion Bolts.
But the Serbian mentor did have his sight on one of the persons at the Magnolia bench.
Vucinic in particular was trying to point out assisstant coach Mon Jose to Patrimonio for apparently acting too aggressive as both benches cleared following the hard tackle committed by Cliff Hodge against Zavier Lucero.
A Meralco insider said Nenad may just have been taken out of context as he was caught pointing his index finger on the face of Patrimonio as cooler heads were trying to separate the two teams after the midcourt skirmish between Hodge and Lucero near the scorer’s table.
READ: Patrimonio, Nenad also get heated during Magnolia-Meralco match
“Alam naman natin si coach Nenad hindi masyadong nagsasalita yan, pero he was not really having heated words with Cap (Patrimonio),” said the team source in reaction to an earlier story by SPIN.ph about Patrimonio and Nenad also exchanging verbal words.
“He (Nenad) was actually pointing someone to Cap. It just so happened that it appeared he was pointing directly kay Cap.”
The person of Nenad’s interest happened to be Jose, who witnesses said was among those who frantically confronted Hodge as both teams began pushing and shoving each other just minutes after the 37-year-old Meralco veteran was whistled for a flagrant foul penalty 1 following his takedown on Lucero.
Actually, Hodge also mentioned in a post-game interview that a Magnolia assistant coach headbutted him, with a small bruise he had on the upper side of his left cheek as proof.
“The assistant coach headbutted me in my face. I don’t know if they didn’t see it or whatever, but I guess that’s ok with them,” said Hodge.
“Of course, coach Nenad had to stand up for Cliff,” added the same Meralco insider. “So he was telling that to Cap. Of course, coach Nenad has the utmost respect for Cap.”
Hodge has been summoned by the Commissioner’s Office on Friday to shed light on the incident.
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