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The injury bug bit Meralco anew on Wednesday in its duel against Phoenix.
With Ranidel de Ocampo (calf) and Jared Dillinger (foot) still nursing their respective injuries, the undermanned Bolts continued to lose vital players with Cliff Hodge injuring his right knee in the 92-20 win.
The energetic forward was going for a shot late in the third quarter but his knees collided with Willy Wilson which sent him sprawling in pain on the floor.
Though he was still able to shoot the succeeding free throws, he was unable to proceed in the next possession and hobbled his way out of the court.
“That didn’t look good,” remarked coach Norman Black when asked about Hodge’s status. “I have no idea at this point, but according to Willy Wilson, he banged knees with him, so that’s something completely different from what he’s been struggling with this entire conference which is the ankle injury.”
Hodge was immediately sent to Makati Medical Center to undergo MRI, but by the looks of it, he might miss Meralco’s crucial tiff against Ginebra on Sunday.
The Bolts are desperate to make a late run in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals, and will need to sweep their remaining games against Ginebra and Magnolia for them to have a chance to advance.
Unfortunately, with Hodge possibly out, that slim window may be slowly closing as we speak.