PBA: Cliff Hodge fined, suspended for foul on Zavier Lucero

Meralco Bolts’ Cliff Hodge during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Magnolia Hotshots. Hodge received stiff penalties for his foul on Zavier Lucero. –PBA IMAGES

The PBA on Friday slapped a one-game suspension and a P100,000 fine on Meralco’s Cliff Hodge for his dangerous foul on Magnolia’s Zavier Lucero during their Philippine Cup game last Wednesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Hodge received the punishment after being summoned by commissioner Willie Marcial to explain the incident which occurred with 2:16 left in the fourth quarter of the contest won by the Hotshots, 117-92.

READ: PBA: Magnolia win over Meralco overshadowed by late game scuffle

Marcial also banned Magnolia assistant coach Mon Jose for one game and fined P20,000 after the technical committee deemed that he had headbutted Hodge during a commotion that followed the incident.

No sanctions were handed to Lucero. Magnolia team manager Alvin Patrimonio and Meralco active consultant Nenad Vucinic, who both figured in a brief verbal exchange as tensions were boiling, likewise escaped penalties.

But Marcial bared that deputy commissioner Eric Castro and technical head Bong Pascual were banned for one playdate each after failing to hand Hodge a Flagrant Foul 2 for his WWE-like move on Lucero.

Hodge was only given a Flagrant Foul 1 following a review of the incident.

Meanwhile, a technical foul given to Meralco center Raymond Almazan for verbal altercation was rescinded.

The sanctions on Hodge and Jose were announced on the league’s website, adding a repeat of the incident will lead to a severe punishment.