Rain or Shine has taken its concerns over Cliff Hodge’s on-court conduct to the PBA, with team governor Atty. Mert Mondragon formally writing Commissioner Willie Marcial to seek a thorough review of the Meralco veteran’s collision with Adrian Nocum and to request stiffer sanctions.
In a letter addressed to the league office, Mondragon said the Elasto Painters believe Hodge “acted with intent to cause harm” during the incident, which occurred with 4:06 remaining in the third quarter of their 85-83 victory over the Bolts in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
Hodge was assessed an unsportsmanlike foul after colliding knee-to-knee with Nocum, who was left writhing in pain. He eventually returned to help Rain or Shine close out the win.
“Based on the footage and the nature of the play, we firmly believe Mr. Hodge acted with intent to cause harm,” the letter read.
“Given the recurring nature of such plays throughout his career, we respectfully urge the league to conduct a thorough review of the incident and take decisive action.”
Rain or Shine argued that the play involving Nocum was not an isolated incident, citing what it described as a pattern of dangerous plays involving Hodge over the years.
The team recalled an earlier incident this season in which Hodge’s contact left Rain or Shine forward Deo Cuajao with a laceration near his eye, resulting in an unsportsmanlike foul.
Mondragon also referenced previous incidents involving Magnolia veteran Mark Barroca during the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup and Magnolia forward Zavier Lucero in last year’s Philippine Cup, saying those examples reflected a consistent pattern of behavior.
“While previous fines and suspensions have been issued, they have proven insufficient in deterring Mr. Hodge from crossing the line between acceptable physicality and reckless, dangerous play,” the letter stated.
Rain or Shine emphasized that while it recognizes basketball as a physical sport, player safety must remain the league’s top priority.
“We fully recognize that basketball is a physical sport; however, sportsmanship and player safety must remain paramount,” the letter said.
“Mr. Hodge has repeatedly transgressed these boundaries, endangering the well-being of his fellow professionals.”
Rain or Shine then urged the Commissioner’s Office to impose harsher penalties for the latest incident and to adopt preventive measures against similar situations in the future.
“In light of this, we respectfully request that the Office of the Commissioner impose stiffer penalties for his actions against Mr. Nocum and implement proactive measures to prevent similar dangerous incidents in the future.”
The letter comes two days after head coach Yeng Guiao once again publicly criticized Hodge, calling the Meralco forward “the dirtiest player in the league” following Sunday’s game.
Guiao argued that Hodge’s knee-to-knee collision with Nocum endangered opposing players and pointed to what he described as a history of similar incidents throughout Hodge’s career.
Meralco, however, quickly came to Hodge’s defense, releasing a statement rejecting Guiao’s comments as “unfair, unfounded, and unprofessional.”
The Bolts maintained that Hodge was merely attempting to draw a charge and that the contact with Nocum was incidental rather than intentional.
Hodge echoed that explanation after the game, saying he was simply making a defensive play and that Nocum sidestepped into his knee as both players went down.
