Camille Naredo

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Meralco Bolts forward Cliff Hodge shrugged off Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao&#x27;s assertion that he is &quot;the dirtiest player in the league&quot; after their PBA Governors&#x27; Cup clash on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.After the Elasto Painters <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/2/pba-rain-or-shine-escapes-meralco-zooms-to-fourth-straight-win-1954">escaped with an 85-83 win</a> over Hodge and the Bolts, Guiao had branded the veteran Meralco forward as a &quot;danger to other players.&quot;<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" 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">READ: Guiao says Hodge &#x27;dirtiest player&#x27; in the PBA</a></div>His comments came as Hodge was called for an unsportsmanlike foul on Adrian Nocum with 4:06 left in the third quarter.The 38-year-old forward did not seem surprised by Guiao&#x27;s remarks, noting that this is not the first time that the famously fiery mentor had criticized him.&quot;I was coming in to take a charge and Coach Yeng always hasn&#x27;t liked me so whatever he says, it&#x27;s okay with me. I play hard for my team, that&#x27;s all I do,&quot; Hodge said. Four years ago, Guiao criticized Hodge for a flagrant foul on a masked Kevin Alas, an incident the latter denied was intentional.  In 2014, the Rain or Shine mentor also called Hodge a danger to the league along with a derogatory remark, which the former later apologized for.  Following the collision, both Hodge and Nocum were visibly in pain before being helped off the court by their teammates.  The 38-year-old forward shared with reporters what happened from his point of view. &quot;I saw him coming full speed. I went in to take a charge and at the moment, I was going to take a charge, he sidestepped. [He] sidestepped right into my knee and then he dished it and so then we both went down,&quot; he explained.Despite the loss and scary collision, Hodge was in good spirits leaving the Big Dome.  &quot;I mean Coach Yeng is Coach Yeng. You guys know, everyone knows, the world knows. But yeah, I mean, he likes to do that so I just let him do what he does. That&#x27;s his personality so yeah. No hard feelings for me,&quot; he said. Hodge and the Bolts look to bounce back this Friday when they clash with the Magnolia Hotshots at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Meralco Bolts forward Cliff Hodge shrugged off Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao's assertion that he is "the dirtiest player in the league" after their PBA Governors' Cup clash on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Meralco Bolts forward Cliff Hodge shrugged off Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao's assertion that he is "the dirtiest player in the league" after their PBA Governors' Cup clash on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

PBA: Hodge says no hard feelings against Yeng Guiao after 'dirtiest player' remark

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

PBA: Hodge says no hard feelings against Yeng Guiao after 'dirtiest player' remark

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 02, 2026 11:23 PM PHT

Read More:

basketball

PBA

PBA Season 50

PBA Governors' Cup

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

Meralco Bolts

Yeng Guiao

Cliff Hodge

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.