 |
| Rain or Shine governor Mamerto Mondragon believes Cliff Hodge must be given a heavier sanction for his unsportsmanlike foul on Adrian Nocum. Peter Baltazar (file photo) |
CAPAS—The post-game drama surrounding Cliff Hodge's unsportsmanlike foul on Adrian Nocum continued on Tuesday as Rain or Shine governor Mamerto Mondragon publicized a letter he submitted to PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.
Posted on the Elasto Painters' social media accounts, Mondragon said that they are hoping that Marcial would slap a heftier sanction on Hodge after Nocum was badly hurt after the Bolts forward's third-quarter foul.
"We fully recognize that basketball is a physical sport; however, sportsmanship and player safety must remain paramount. Mr. Hodge has repeatedly transgressed these boundaries, endangering the well-being of his fellow professionals," Mondragon explained his team's plea.
"In light of this, we respectfully request that the Office of the Commissioner impose stiffer penalties for his actions against Mr. Nocum and implement proactive measures to prevent similar dangerous incidents in the future."
Two days after coach Yeng Guiao did not mince words and called Hodge "the dirtiest player in the PBA" right after ROS's win against Meralco, Mondragon implicitly echoed the same sentiment, saying that the six-foot-five bruiser had an intent to injure Nocum's leg during his foul.
"Based on the footage and nature of the play, we firmly believe that Mr. Hodge acted with intent to cause harm. Given the recurring nature of such plays throughout his career, we respectfully urge the league to conduct a thorough review of the incident and take decisive action," Mondragon's letter continued.
He also said that the Nocum incident is not an isolated case since Hodge, during their first-round meeting, also caused a cut in Deo Cuajao's eye area in another foul ruled as flagrant.
Mondragon also cited the case of Meralco's two previous meetings against Magnolia this season, in which Hodge hurt Mark Barroca and Zav Lucero in his hard fouls.
Mondragon thinks that despite Hodge getting slapped with fines and suspensions on previous occasions, he remains a danger to other players.
"While previous fines and suspensions have been issued, they have proven insufficient in deterring Mr. Hodge from crossing the line between acceptable physicality and reckless, dangerous play," the letter further read.
In conclusion, Mondragon called the Hodge situation "urgent" while hoping that the PBA remains committed "to upholding player safety and integrity."
