Meralco has thrown its full support behind Cliff Hodge, strongly rejecting Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao’s latest remarks labeling the Filipino-American bruiser as the “dirtiest player in the PBA.”
A day after Guiao reignited his long-running criticism of Hodge following Rain or Shine’s 85-83 victory over Meralco in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, the Bolts released a statement on Monday defending one of the franchise’s longest-serving players and condemning the comments made by the veteran coach.
“The Meralco Bolts make it of record that we do not and will not condone any unprofessional conduct in the Philippine Basketball Association,” the team said.
“We hold all our coaches, players, and staff to always observe the highest level of professionalism, decorum, and conduct in all the games we play here and abroad. We take immense pride in the intensity and passion of our players whenever they play and compete on the basketball court.”
The franchise took particular issue with Guiao’s public remarks after the game, saying the accusations against Hodge were unwarranted.
“We therefore take very strong exception to the unfair, unfounded, and unprofessional statement that the head coach of Rain or Shine, Coach Yeng Guiao, uttered in public during his post-game interview against our player, Mr. Cliff Hodge, whom he unjustly maligned in public by calling him ‘the dirtiest player in the PBA.'”
Guiao’s latest criticism stemmed from an incident with 4:06 remaining in the fourth quarter on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With Rain or Shine protecting a 66-63 lead, Adrian Nocum drove into the lane before colliding knee-to-knee with Hodge while attempting to pass the ball to Christian Manaytay.
The contact left Nocum in pain on the floor, while Hodge was assessed an unsportsmanlike foul.
Following the game, Guiao expressed concern for Nocum before once again singling out Hodge.
“Again, it’s Cliff Hodge. He’s the dirtiest player in the league, I think,” Guiao said.
“He’s a danger to the other players in the game. So, his record speaks for itself.”
The Meralco organization, however, insisted the play was simply part of normal basketball action and not an attempt to injure an opponent.
“Cliff Hodge has been a Defensive Player of the Year awardee and named to the All-Defensive Team multiple times through the years because of the energy and passion that he has been known to play with, and this should not be taken against him,” the team said.
“In the play involving Adrian Nocum, Cliff simply stepped in to try to draw a charge in a defensive stance position. The contact was incidental and should not be misconstrued as a dirty play.”
The Bolts concluded their statement by saying Guiao’s remarks had crossed the line.
“Coach Yeng’s malicious imputations against Cliff are uncalled for and have no place in a professional league such as the PBA.”
