Cliff Hodge felt great on his return to the fold for Meralco after sitting out for several weeks.
The 6-foot-4 bruiser went under the knife just before the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup started last September to remove the bone spurs in his ankle, causing him to miss the Bolts’ first six games.
Hodge then returned to the Orangemen last October 27, playing for three minutes and 32 seconds and collecting a rebound in his team’s masterful 125-99 conquest of the San Miguel Beermen.
His second game back was on Sunday night. Hodge played for 13 minutes and 25 seconds and had two points, two rebounds, and two assists in their 101-77 beatdown of Barangay Ginebra.
“It feels good to be out there, helping the guys try to get a win,” said Hodge moments after the win.
“It’s been a long road. It’s been hard going through the whole surgery, the rehab, and just… I felt great getting back out there to help my guys.”
The Bolts missed Hodge’s veteran leadership while he was out. Still, the 31-year-old from Florida lauded the whole team — especially the new guys — for playing well.
“We had some great pickups in (Raymond) Almazan, (Allein) Maliksi, Toto (Jose). All those guys, they help a lot. And you could tell by our record, even with me out like that, we’re a full team.
“Like, the guys come in and Bong Quinto’s been playing well. All of us are playing well right now and it just feels good. We just gotta keep the momentum going,” Hodge said.
Now, Hodge hopes he will be a hundred percent come playoff time, as the Bolts have already punched a quarterfinal ticket following their 24-point victory over the crowd darlings.
“I hope so, I hope so, I think so,” said the six-year pro.
“I’m at about seventy-five-percent — I’m still going to rehab twice a week. I’m not there yet, but I’m gonna get there. It’s just getting your timing back.”
