‘Bionic’ Hodge earns plaudits anew after Game 2 heroics

ANTIPOLO – Cliff Hodge earned plaudits yet again as he overcame a painful whiplash to help Meralco tie its PBA Governors’ Cup semis series versus TNT.

The veteran bruiser got stunned after hitting his head off the floor in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter in an attempt to provide help defense to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, leaving those inside the Ynares Center shocked as well.

But shortly after, with little help, he stood up as if nothing happened, and the crowd showed their appreciation by filling the venue with cheers.

“He’s a bionic man,” quipped head coach Norman Black of the 35-year-old. “It takes a lot to keep Cliff Hodge down. He’s really a bionic man actually.”

Hodge would even star in overtime, scoring the team’s first four points to ignite their 12-5 finishing kick towards the 124-117 victory to equalize the best-of-5 tilt.

The Meralco lifer finished with a near-double-double of 15 points and nine rebounds in yet another solid display of grit by the 11-year veteran.

But even he couldn’t seem to figure out how he’s always been able to play on despite being banged up, let alone with a hurting head.

All that he knows, though, is he’s more than willing to sacrifice, and do whatever it takes to help the Bolts get the victory just like Sunday.

“I don’t know how I do it either,” he said. “I’m always banged up. But at this point of the conference, you do whatever it takes to try to get to that next level.

“And we still haven’t won a championship so Imma sacrifice anything I need to and everything I need to just to try and get to that next level and finally win one for Meralco,” added the club’s fourth overall pick in 2012.

Safe to say that Hodge is all fine despite what happened.

“I’ve had a concussion before playing football when I was younger and it didn’t feel like that. I was just kind of a little bit lightheaded but like you said, concussion protocols, if I feel anything, I’ll go to the hospital.

“I think I’m pretty good though,” he said.

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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.