Yeng Guiao Labels Cliff Hodge ‘Dirtiest Player in the League’ After Rain or Shine’s Narrow Victory

MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao reignited a longstanding feud with Meralco forward Cliff Hodge by calling him the “dirtiest player in the league” following their team’s narrow 85-83 victory over the Bolts in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The confrontation stemmed from a collision in the third quarter between Hodge and Rain or Shine guard Adrian Nocum, which left both players injured temporarily. Despite the incident, both players returned to participate in the tense final moments of the game.

Guiao did not hold back in criticizing Hodge’s playing style, pointing out that the Meralco forward had repeatedly been involved in dangerous plays that risk the safety of other players. He specifically mentioned an instance where Hodge stuck out his foot, an action that led to an unsportsmanlike foul call against him during the game.

The Rain or Shine coach emphasized that this was not an isolated incident, but part of a pattern of behavior by Hodge that he believes endangers fellow players. Guiao’s comments were made publicly, underscoring his concern about Hodge’s aggressive tactics on the court.

This latest outburst comes more than ten years after Guiao was fined P100,000 for using an offensive term to describe Hodge in reaction to a previous hit on then Rain or Shine player Raymond Almazan. Notably, Hodge and Almazan are now teammates at Meralco. While Guiao apologized for the derogatory remark, he clarified that his apology did not extend to Hodge himself.

The collision and subsequent comments have reignited a heated rivalry that has spanned over a decade, highlighting ongoing tensions between the two figures in the PBA. Guiao’s strong language reflects his ongoing frustration with what he perceives as Hodge’s reckless style of play.

As the PBA Governors’ Cup progresses, the spotlight on player safety and conduct remains a critical issue, with Guiao’s remarks adding fuel to the debate. The league and teams will likely continue to monitor interactions between players like Hodge to prevent further incidents that could jeopardize player well-being.