Cliff Hodge’s Latest Flagrant Sparks Outcry: “This Is Not Basketball,” Says Lucero
Magnolia’s Zavier Lucero has called out Meralco’s Cliff Hodge for what he described as a “dirty play” during their intense Philippine Cup showdown on Wednesday—a game marred by physicality and confrontation.
With just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter, Lucero was on a fastbreak opportunity when Hodge, in what many described as a wrestling move, brought him down by the neck area in an attempt to prevent a score.
Replays and photographs confirm the incident—Hodge, appearing to wrap his arm around Lucero’s upper body, pulled him to the floor in a dangerous fashion. It didn’t take long before Lucero stood up and confronted Hodge, leading to a scuffle that momentarily halted the game.
“Just a dirty play. I can’t really explain it,” Lucero told SPIN.ph in the post-game interview. “You can see it on the tape. All I hope is that the league does something about it.”
Lucero’s frustration was rooted not only in the foul itself, but in what he perceives to be the league’s leniency when it comes to punishing these types of actions.
“Last time someone did a dirty play, nothing got done about it,” he added. “I’m just hoping that kind of stuff, it’s not basketball. If you continue to let those things happen, then I don’t know what kind of league it is.”
When asked if there was any history or animosity between the two players that might have sparked the moment, Lucero was quick to deny it.
“No, it was cool. It was nothing. But I don’t know,” he said, seemingly still puzzled by the level of aggression.
A Pattern Emerging with Cliff Hodge
Cliff Hodge is no stranger to physical play. His style—gritty, relentless, and often on the edge—has made him one of the PBA’s most polarizing figures. But Wednesday night’s incident adds to a growing list of plays where Hodge has been accused of crossing the line between hard-nosed defense and outright recklessness.
Over the years, he has been involved in multiple questionable incidents, many of which have resulted in player confrontations or injury scares. And while his hustle and commitment to defense are widely acknowledged, his repeated involvement in controversial plays can no longer be brushed aside as isolated moments.
Conclusion: A Dangerous Trend for the League
Zavier Lucero’s outcry isn't just about one play—it’s about a pattern. If players like Hodge continue to make dangerous, non-basketball plays without consistent disciplinary action, the league’s credibility and player safety could be at stake.
Cliff Hodge has now accumulated enough incidents to fairly say: he’s not just a defensive asset—he’s also becoming a liability, and a growing threat to the integrity of the league. The PBA must take a hard look at this trend and decide what kind of play it wants to condone moving forward.
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