Cliff Hodge Explained

Cliff Hodge
Number:7
Position:Power forward
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lbs:195
League:PBA
Team:Meralco Bolts
Nationality:Filipino / American
Birth Date:3 February 1988
Birth Place:Pensacola, Florida
Draft Year Pba:2012
Draft Round Pba:1
Draft Pick Pba:4
Draft Team Pba:Meralco Bolts
College:
Career Start:2012
Years1:2012–present
Team1:Meralco Bolts
Highlights:

Clifford Marion "Cliff" Hodge (born February 3, 1988) is a Filipino-American basketball player for the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was selected 4th overall by the Meralco Bolts in the 2012 PBA draft.

Semi-professional career

After his college career ended, Hodge met Geremy Robinson, a former PBA import who played for the Air21 Express.[1] After Robinson found out he was half-Filipino, Robinson encouraged him to play in the Philippines.

In 2011, Hodge joined the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA D-League.[2] They won the inaugural league championship.[3] NLEX then won the 2011 Aspirants' Cup.[4] The following conference, he was named the Best Player of the 2012 Foundation Cup and made the Mythical Team.[5] He and NLEX then went on to win its third straight championship that conference.[6]

Professional career

Hodge applied for the 2012 PBA Draft,[7] where he was taken by the Meralco Bolts.[8] In his debut against the Talk N' Text Tropang Texters, he had 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in 44 minutes.[9] His first win came against the Alaska Aces, in which he scored 12 of his 20 points in the 3rd quarter.[10] In their next game, he had 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and two steals as the Bolts claimed the win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.[11] For those performances, he was named Player of the Week. He had 9 rebounds to go with 13 points in their rematch with the Aces.[12] He finished the Philippine Cup with averages of 10.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 30 minutes of play.[13] That season, he competed in the Slam Dunk Contest during the 2013 All-Star Weekend, losing to Chris Ellis.[14] In the Governors' Cup, he had a then career-high 24 points and 13 rebounds against Air21 Express.[15] He was also in the running for Rookie of the Year, but lost to Calvin Abueva.[16]

In 2014, Hodge competed in that year's Slam Dunk Contest, but had the lowest score among all contestants.[17] At the end of Game Two of their Commissioner's Cup quarterfinal series against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Hodge committed a close-fisted foul against Raymond Almazan. For that foul, opposing coach Yeng Guiao used a racial slur on him. The league fined Guiao P100,000 and Hodge P20,000 for their actions.[18] The Bolts lost Game 3 and were eliminated.[19] In the Governors' Cup, he had one of his best conferences as he averaged 18.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks while attaining six double-doubles.[20] However, Meralco failed to qualify for the playoffs for that conference.

In the 2016 Commissioner's Cup, Hodge had 25 points and 11 rebounds to prevent the Mahindra Enforcers from getting the win.[21] In Game 4 of the Bolts' semifinals against TnT in the Governors' Cup, he had a career-high 32 points in 46 minutes, shooting 12-of-19 from the field.[22] Along with his 4 rebounds, he also hit a three that guaranteed Meralco its first trip to the Finals. In the Finals, they lost to Ginebra in six games.[23]

During the 2016–17 Philippine Cup, Hodge was penalized P20,000 after the flagrant foul he committed against Alex Cabagnot in the Bolts' match against the Beermen.[24] He had 16 boards and 17 points against Rain or Shine to keep Meralco's playoff hopes alive.[25] The Bolts missed out on the playoffs, winning only three times the entire conference.[26] He was sidelined for three games during the Commissioner's Cup with a calf injury.[27] In the Governors' Cup, he was injured with a severe ankle sprain, forcing him to miss several games.[28] In his second game following the injury, he had 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and 7 boards in almost 34 minutes of play against the Star Hotshots.[29] They lost once again in the Finals to Ginebra.[30]

Hodge missed some games during the 2017–18 Philippine Cup due to bone spurs, but returned in a win against the Kia Picanto despite needing two more weeks of rest.[31] He left their game against the Phoenix Fuel Masters due to a knee injury.[32] The injury was later revealed to be a MCL sprain, forcing him to miss the rest of the conference.[33] In the Governors' Cup, he suffered a herniated disc.[34]

Hodge returned fully healthy for the 2019 Philippine Cup.[35] In a win over the Blackwater Elite, he had 12 points and 10 rebounds.[36] He then had 14 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in a loss to the Columbian Dyip.[37] After several more losses, he had 23 points and 10 rebounds in 54 minutes against the NorthPort Batang Pier to break their losing streak, even suffering cramps when he dove for the ball.[38] They didn't make the playoffs for that conference.[39] In the Governors' Cup, he missed the team's first six games to remove bone spurs in his ankle.[40] Still, they made the Finals, where they lost once again to Ginebra.[41]

In a 2020 Philippine Cup win over the Magnolia Hotshots, Hodge had 12 points, including two clutch free throws.[42] That conference, Meralco finally got to its first Philippine cup semifinals by defeating the San Miguel Beermen.[43] In Game 2 of the semis against Ginebra, he had 12 points and 11 rebounds to tie the series.[44] After Ginebra won Game 3, he then stepped up with 16 points, six rebounds, three steals, and three assists to force a do-or-die Game 5. His last assist was to Chris Newsome, who sealed the win with a fastbreak layup.[45] In Game 5, he had 14 points, but Ginebra won over them once again.[46]

During the 2021 Philippine Cup, Hodge, along with Newsome, was placed into the league's health and safety protocols, forcing them to miss two games.[47] In the quarterfinals, he had 16 points against the NLEX Road Warriors to bring Meralco to the semis.[48] In the Governors' Cup, Meralco started strong by winning its first four games.[49] They secured their spot in the conference's playoffs with a win over the Dyip in which he had 16 points and six boards.[50] In a win over Phoenix, he had 14 points and eight assists.[51] They got to the Finals where they faced Ginebra once again.[52] In Game 1, he contributed 17 points on an efficient eight-of-nine shooting clip in the win.[53] Despite his efforts in the following games, especially on defense, they lost to Ginebra once again in seven games.[54] [55] He was named to the All-Defensive Team for that season.[56]

In the 2022 Philippine Cup quarterfinals, Hodge was finally able to lead Meralco past Ginebra, as he averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in the last two games of the series.[57] In the semis, they faced the Beermen where they lost in seven games.[58] Meralco then missed the playoffs of the Commissioner's Cup due to injuries to key players.[59] In a Governors' Cup game against NorthPort, he was hit with an inadvertent elbow from NorthPort import Marcus Weathers, resulting to a cut on his upper lip. He kept playing and finished the game with 15 points and nine rebounds as Meralco won the game. That season, he got to the 1,000 offensive rebounds milestone while playing his 10th season with Meralco.[60]

National team career

In 2011, Hodge joined Sinag Pilipinas for the 26th Southeast Asian Games.[61] One of his best games that tournament came in a win against Thailand, in which he had 15 points on six-of-seven shooting from the field along with three rebounds and two assists.[62] They went on to win the tournament.[63]

Personal life

Hodge was born and raised Pensacola, Florida. His father is American while his mother is Filipino.[64] He is married to Beatrice Yao.[65]

Hodge is an animal lover. Together with his family, they own Bark Central, an indoor dog park and cafe.

PBA career statistics

As of the end of 2023–24 season[66] [67]

Season-by-season averages

|-| align=left | | align=left | Meralco| 47 || 26.8 || .403 || .243 || .552 || 6.4 || 1.0 || .8 || .8 || 9.7|-| align=left | | align=left | Meralco| 30 || 31.3 || .401 || .294 || .627 || 7.3 || 1.4 || .9 || .9 || 10.7|-| align=left | | align=left | Meralco| 40 || 34.0 || .425 || .211 || .492 || 8.1 || 1.9 || .9 || 1.4 || 9.4|-| align=left | | align=left | Meralco| 51 || 33.9 || .414 || .311 || .582 || 7.6 || 2.0 || .6 || .8 || 11.5|-| align=left | | align=left | Meralco| 43 || 30.6 || .443 || .281 || .518 || 6.5 || 2.2 || .7 || .8 || 8.4|-| align=left | | align=left | Meralco| 31 || 27.3 || .500 || .208 || .510 || 5.4 || 1.8 || .7 || .5 || 6.8|-| align=left | | align=left | Meralco| 39 || 25.4 || .402 || .100 || .553 || 5.7 || 1.8 || .7 || .4 || 5.3|-| align=left | | align=left | Meralco| 18 || 33.1 || .605 || .000 || .571 || 6.2 || 2.2 || .7 || .8 || 9.8|-| align=left | | align=left | Meralco| 40 || 28.1 || .526 || .286 || .537 || 6.2 || 1.7 || .9 || .8 || 6.3|-| align=left | | align=left | Meralco| 48 || 31.2 || .534 || .222 || .561 || 7.2 || 2.1 || 1.0 || .9 || 8.5|-| align=left | | align=left | Meralco| 39 || 33.2 || .528 || .250 || .622 || 7.7 || 2.3 || .9 || .9 || 9.5|-class=sortbottom| align=center colspan=2 | Career| 426 || 30.4 || .456 || .262 || .558 || 6.8 || 1.8 || .8 || .8 || 8.8

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sulit . Jutt . March 15, 2015 . SLAMbook: 1-on-1 with Meralco's Cliff Hodge - SLAMonline Philippines . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303010959/http://www.slamonlineph.com/slambook-1-on-1-with-meralcos-cliff-hodge/ . March 3, 2016 . August 16, 2023 .
  2. Web site: Tan . Ni Angeline . March 9, 2011 . MPTC-Nlex Road Warriors palaban sa PBA D-League . August 16, 2023 . Philstar.com.
  3. Web site: Flores . Celest R. . June 16, 2011 . Road Warriors clinch PBA D-League title . August 16, 2023 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  4. Web site: Tan . February 8, 2012 . NLEX Aspirant's Cup Champion . August 16, 2023 . Philstar.com.
  5. Web site: Terrado . Reuben . June 11, 2012 . Just reward as Hodge named best player . August 16, 2023 . Spin.ph . en.
  6. Web site: Flores . Celest R. . June 14, 2012 . NLEX Road Warriors clinch PBA-D League 3-peat . August 16, 2023 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  7. Web site: Terrado. Reuben. July 5, 2012. Hodge, Ellis join draft after change of heart. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  8. Web site: Miaco. Nimrod. 2012. Fajardo, Abueva top 2012 PBA draft. February 3, 2022. Rappler. en.
  9. Web site: October 6, 2012. PBA wRap: Gilas 2.0 members shine in opening week. February 3, 2022. RAPPLER. en-US.
  10. Web site: Castillo. Grace B.. October 11, 2012. Petron Blaze powers to first win over Barako Bull. February 3, 2022. Arab News. en.
  11. Web site: October 15, 2012. Rookie Hodge quick to make his presence felt. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  12. Web site: December 2, 2012. PBA wRap: Rookies Abueva, Ellis play key roles in recent wins. February 3, 2022. RAPPLER. en-US.
  13. Web site: PBA News: Transition to '3-spot' has not been all that smooth for rookie Hodge. February 3, 2022. www.spin.ph.
  14. Web site: May 3, 2013. Ellis clinches slam-dunk title by replicating iconic Carter moment. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  15. Web site: Pamintuan. Carlo. September 15, 2013. PBA: Meralco Bolts zap trade partners Air21 Express. February 3, 2022. GMA News Online. en.
  16. Web site: October 13, 2013. Abueva wins Rookie of the Year honor but hears boos from pro-Petron crowd. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  17. News: Castillo. Musong R.. April 5, 2014. Guevarra, Melton share All-Star slam title. Philippine Daily Inquirer. February 3, 2022.
  18. Web site: Sacamos. Karlo. April 25, 2014. Guiao fined P100,000 for 'mongoloid' slur as Hodge hit with P20,000 penalty for closed-fist foul on Almazan. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  19. Web site: April 26, 2014. Cliff Hodge says he won't change the way he plays just because of 'dirty player' accusations. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  20. Web site: Sulit . Jutt . June 22, 2014 . The Lost Conference of Cliff Hodge SLAMonline Philippines . https://web.archive.org/web/20140625014654/http://www.slamonlineph.com/lost-conference-cliff-hodge/ . June 25, 2014 . August 16, 2023 .
  21. Web site: Sacamos. Karlo. April 3, 2016. Meralco avoids upset ax vs Mahindra as Hodge, Alapag lead telling finishing kick. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  22. Web site: Bracher. Jane. October 4, 2016. Cliff Hodge plays his 'best game ever' to propel Meralco to PBA Finals. February 3, 2022. RAPPLER. en-US.
  23. Web site: Joble. Rey. October 19, 2021. This Day in PBA History: Brownlee sinks 'the Shot' to deliver Ginebra the title. February 3, 2022. ABS-CBN News.
  24. Web site: Ramos. Gerry. January 18, 2017. Cliff Hodge fined P20K after flagrant foul that broke Cabagnot nose upgraded upon review. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  25. Web site: Sacamos. Karlo. January 20, 2017. Meralco brings down misfiring Rain or Shine to keep slim PBA playoff hopes alive. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  26. Web site: Naredo. Camille B.. February 8, 2017. Cone: Lessons from Governors' Cup serving Ginebra well. February 3, 2022. ABS-CBN News.
  27. Web site: Ramos. Gerry. April 18, 2017. Cliff Hodge benefits from long break, ready to return from injury for Meralco. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  28. Web site: Ramos. Gerry. August 14, 2017. Norman Black offers no excuses on first loss, but says Meralco missed defense of injured Cliff Hodge. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  29. Web site: Sacamos. Karlo. September 9, 2017. Norman Black glad to have fit-again Cliff Hodge back as Bolts regain defensive teeth in win vs Star. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  30. Web site: Bacnis. Justine. October 27, 2017. Despite falling short once more, it was still worth it for Allen Durham. February 3, 2022. Tiebreaker Times. en-US.
  31. Web site: Jacinto. Christian. January 24, 2018. Cliff Hodge draws praise after recharging Bolts in surprise return from injury. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  32. Web site: Sacamos. Karlo. February 14, 2018. Not again: Cliff Hodge joins growing Meralco injury list with knee concern. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  33. Web site: Ramos. Gerry. February 20, 2018. Cliff Hodge out for conference with a MCL sprain, but Dillinger set for return. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  34. Web site: Terrado. Reuben. November 10, 2018. No timetable yet for Cliff Hodge return from herniated disc. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  35. Web site: Terrado . Reuben . January 15, 2019 . With Meralco healthy for once, Black eager to atone in plagued PH Cup . August 16, 2023 . Spin.ph . en.
  36. Web site: Li . Matthew . January 19, 2019 . Nico Salva takes over late as Meralco deals Blackwater second loss . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  37. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . February 27, 2019 . Rashawn McCarthy drops career-high as Columbian Dyip escape Meralco . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  38. Web site: March 12, 2019 . Hodge vows to keep going all out as Meralco aims to stay in playoff race . August 16, 2023 . Spin.ph . en.
  39. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . March 27, 2019 . Ginebra imposes will on Meralco for 4th straight win . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  40. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . November 4, 2019 . Cliff Hodge looks to get timing back, bring Meralco to full strength . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  41. Web site: Dalupang . Denison Rey A. . January 17, 2020 . Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors' Cup title . August 16, 2023 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  42. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . October 20, 2020 . Newsome goes from goat to hero as Meralco outlasts Magnolia in first PBA Bubble OT . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  43. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . November 15, 2020 . Hodge on Meralco's first PH Cup semis: 'We proved that we're not just a mediocre team' . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  44. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . November 20, 2020 . Baser Amer provides spark as Meralco evens PBA Semis series vs Ginebra with rout . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  45. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . November 25, 2020 . Hugnatan finds redemption as Meralco sends Ginebra to PBA Semis do-or-die . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  46. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . November 27, 2020 . Thompson does a Brownlee, lifts Ginebra to PBA Finals showdown vs TNT . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  47. Web site: Ramos. Gerry. September 22, 2021. Newsome, Hodge rejoin Meralco but Hugnatan to miss final two elims games. February 3, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  48. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . October 1, 2021 . PBA: Meralco ends NLEX's road, sets up Magnolia showdown . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  49. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . February 15, 2022 . Despite pleas from Black to slow down, Hodge continues to give 110-percent to Meralco . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  50. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . February 24, 2022 . PBA: Meralco routs Terrafirma, clinches Govs' Cup playoffs slot . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  51. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . March 11, 2022 . PBA: Top Four picture shaping up as Meralco sends Phoenix to the brink . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  52. Web site: Villanueva . Eros . April 7, 2022 . From The Block: This is not your usual Ginebra-Meralco Finals . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  53. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . April 6, 2022 . PBA: Balanced Meralco attack zaps Ginebra to take Game One . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  54. Web site: Terrado . Reuben . April 21, 2022 . Scrappy Hodge has no plan of toning down play despite Black advice . August 16, 2023 . Spin.ph . en.
  55. Web site: Ventura . Sid . April 22, 2022 . Ginebra tops Bolts in Game 6 to win PBA Governors' Cup title . August 16, 2023 . ESPN.com . en.
  56. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . June 5, 2022 . Scottie Thompson caps banner PBA year with MVP . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  57. Web site: Dioquino . Delfin . August 1, 2022 . Hodge earns PBA Player of the Week honors as Meralco finally solves Ginebra puzzle . August 16, 2023 . RAPPLER . en-US.
  58. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . August 17, 2022 . PBA: Fajardo, Perez dominate Meralco, power San Miguel to Finals . August 16, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  59. Web site: Ballesteros . Jan . January 27, 2023 . Hurt and all, Cliff Hodge soldiers on to help Meralco grab 2nd win . August 16, 2023 . onesports.ph . en.
  60. Web site: Fuertes Jr . Rommel . February 27, 2023 . PBA: Norman Black proud of Cliff Hodge and his latest career milestone . August 16, 2023 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  61. Web site: Leyba . Olmin . November 4, 2011 . Sinag five draws comebacking Thais . August 16, 2023 . Philstar.com.
  62. Web site: Giongco . Mark . November 16, 2011 . SEA Games: PH dribblers overwhelm Thailand . August 16, 2023 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  63. Web site: November 20, 2011 . Philippines wins Gold Medal in 2011 SEA Games Basketball . August 16, 2023 . Gilas Pilipinas Basketball . en-US.
  64. Web site: Moran. Kathy. September 3, 2019. Yorkies DJ and Whiskey bolt into the heart of Meralco star Cliff Hodge. February 3, 2022. www.philstar.com. en-US.
  65. Web site: Bacnis. Justine. October 26, 2017. Newly-wed Cliff Hodge celebrates honeymoon with Meralco. February 3, 2022. Tiebreaker Times. en-US.
  66. Web site: Cliff Hodge Player Profile, Meralco Bolts - PBA-Online.net . PBA-Online.net. https://web.archive.org/web/20161110221309/http://www.pba-online.net/profile/Cliff-Hodge/493/ . November 10, 2016 .
  67. Web site: Clifford Hodge Player Profile, Meralco Bolts - RealGM . basketball.realgm.com.

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