IT appears the incident involving Rain or Shine and Meralco in the PBA Governors’ Cup is far from over.
ROS management filed a formal complaint before the Commissioner’s Office about what it termed as a ‘dangerous incident’ involving Meralco veteran Cliff Hodge and third-year guard Adrian Nocum during Sunday night's game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Citing footage of the action, the team firmly believed Hodge acted with intent to cause harm on a driving Nocum by extending his knee while both players were airborne in the game that Rain or Shine won, 85-83.
READ Meralco says Guiao tirade at Hodge 'unfounded and uncalled for'
The complaint letter reinforces coach Yeng Guiao’s earlier assertion about the 38-year-old Hodge as ‘the dirtiest PBA player’ today.
Through team governor Atty. Mamerto Mindragon, the franchise is urging the Commissioner’s Office to impose a stiffer penalty on Hodge.
The incident occurred with 4:06 remaining in the third quarter of the tightly-contested game. Both players were hurt during the collision, but nonetheless, managed to return leading to the endgame that saw Nocum feeding import Aaron Fuller the go-ahead basket in the final 39 seconds.
Meralco later came out with its own statement on the matter, stressing Guiao’s strong-worded remarks were unfair, unfounded, and unprofessional as the team stood by its long-time stalwart, describing Hodge as someone who plays with so much ‘energy and passion’ that netted him a Defensive Player of the Year award and a multiple member of the All-Defensive Team.
But Rain or Shine countered the physical play against Nocum wasn’t an isolated one.
The Elasto Painters recalled Hodge also caused a laceration near the eye of rookie Deo Cuajao earlier in the conference which merited an unsportsmanlike foul.
Then there’s also the severe hit Hodge had on veteran Magnolia guard Mark Barroca last May in the Commissioner’s Cup, and of course, his controversial takedown of Magnolia big man Zavier Lucero in the Season 49 Philippine Cup where the Meralco forward was suspended for one game and fined P100,000.
“These recurring incidents – along with numerous other hard hits delivered to players across the league – demonstrate a consistent pattern of behavior,” said Rain or Shine in the same statement.
“While these actions are often dismissed or characterized as ‘accidental’ by him (Hodge), the frequently result in bloody and potentially career-threatening injuries for aggrieved players.”
At the same time, the team noted that while suspensions and fines have been imposed on the Fil-Am big man, it still doesn’t deter Hodge from crossing the line between acceptable physicality and reckless, dangerous play.
“We full recognize that basketball is a physical sport, however, sportsmanship and player safety must remain paramount. Mr. Hodge has repeatedly transgressed these boundaries, endangering the well-being of his fellow professionals,” as per the statement.
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