Romwel Anzures

Meralco Bolts forward Cliff Hodge. PBA Images.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785752478179IMG_1566.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Meralco Bolts forward Cliff Hodge.<em> PBA Images.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — The Meralco Bolts defended veteran forward Cliff Hodge following the remarks made by Rain or Shine Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao.</div><p>In a statement, Meralco said it was unfair for Guiao to &quot;unjustly&quot; label Hodge as the &quot;dirtiest player in the PBA&quot; after the veteran forward collided with Rain or Shine star guard Adrian Nocum in the third quarter of their PBA Season 50 Governorss’ Cup match on Sunday. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/2/guiao-says-hodge-dirtiest-player-in-the-pba-he-s-a-danger-to-other-players-2030"><strong>READ: Guiao says Hodge &#x27;dirtiest player&#x27; in the PBA — &#x27;He&#x27;s a danger to other players&#x27;</strong></a></div><p>&quot;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,&quot; the statement read.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/3/pba-nocum-shakes-off-injury-scare-after-collision-with-hodge-1738"><strong>READ: Nocum shakes off injury scare after collision with Hodge</strong></a></div><p>&quot;Coach Yeng&#x27;s malicious imputations against Cliff are uncalled for and have no place in a professional league such as the PBA,&quot; Meralco added.</p><p>The team said Hodge was simply doing his job, one that has helped establish him as one of the league&#x27;s top defenders.</p><p>&quot;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,&quot; the team said.</p><p>&quot;In the play involving Adrian Nocum, Cliff simply stepped in to try to draw a charge while in a defensive stance. The contact was incidental and should not be misconstrued as a dirty play.&quot;</p><p>The team added that it does not condone unprofessional conduct, whether in the PBA or in the other leagues in which the Bolts also compete.</p><p>&quot;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,&quot; the team said. &quot;We take immense pride in the intensity and passion of our players whenever they play and compete on the basketball court.&quot;</p><p>Hodge, for his part, said there were no ill feelings between him and Guiao.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/2/hodge-says-no-hard-feelings-against-yeng-guiao-after-dirtiest-player-remark-2323"><strong>READ: Hodge says no hard feelings against Yeng Guiao after &#x27;dirtiest player&#x27; remark</strong></a></div><p>&quot;That&#x27;s his personality, so no hard feelings for me,&quot; he said in a separate interview.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:<span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ghZQjYEp4Bg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div>

<p>The Meralco Bolts defended veteran forward Cliff Hodge following the remarks made by Rain or Shine Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao.</p>

The Meralco Bolts defended veteran forward Cliff Hodge following the remarks made by Rain or Shine Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao.

PBA: Meralco defends Cliff Hodge amid Yeng Guiao’s ‘dirtiest player’ remark

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PBA: Meralco defends Cliff Hodge amid Yeng Guiao’s ‘dirtiest player’ remark

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 03, 2026 06:31 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

PBA

PBA Season 50

ABSSports

PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup

PBA 50

Meralco

Cliff Hodge

Rain or Shine

Yeng Guiao

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