PBA: Cliff Hodge slapped with 1-game ban for 'stunner' on Zav Lucero

Cliff Hodge was suspended for his "Stone Cold Stunner"-like foul on Zav Lucero. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Cliff Hodge's wrestling-like foul on Zav Lucero late in the game between Meralco and Magnolia and its ensuing altercation did not sit well with PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

Marcial slapped Hodge with a one-game suspension plus a PHP100,000 fine for the said move, which looked like a jumping cutter maneuver in pro wrestling also known as the "Stone Cold Stunner" or the "RKO", although The Wrestling-Wrestling Podcast, a wresting-themed podcast with Stan Sy, one of the PBA Game Experience emcees, as one of the hosts, clarified that it was more like a snapmare driver, which current WWE superstar Shaun "LA Knight" Ricker has renamed as the Blunt-Force Trauma.

Hodge will serve the ban on Wednesday night when the Bolts take on the Blackwater Bossing at the Ynares Center 1 in Antipolo.

The Hotshots, though, were not spared from penalties as well as assistant coach Mon Jose was also given a one-game ban plus a PHP20,000 fine for his role in the aftermath of Hodge's flagrant foul.

In a statement by the PBA on Friday, Jose was seen headbutting Hodge in a heated moment at the official's table, which probably triggered a verbal altercation between Jose and Meralco active consultant Nenad Vucinic.

Jose, a former three-time UAAP champion for La Salle who played only one PBA season with Pop Cola in 2001 before venturing into full-time coaching, will not be seen on Magnolia's bench when it takes on Rain Or Shine on Sunday night at the Ynares Center 2 in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Marcial summoned both Hodge and Jose to his office in Quezon City to air their side of the altercation.

"Marcial advised both Hodge and Jose to learn to control their emotions. He warned them and said that a repetition of the incident will be dealt with severely," the PBA said in its statement.

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