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First-timer Hodge out to bring defense in All-Star Game

Sports | Basketball

First-timer Hodge out to bring defense in All-Star Game

By Reynald I. Magallon

At A Glance

Known to be more of a defensive lynchpin in the PBA which perhaps the reason why he wasn't selected in his first 11 years in the league, Hodge expressed surprise after finally making it at this point of his career.

It’s never too late for Cliff Hodge to finally be able to join the PBA All-Stars.

Known to be more of a defensive lynchpin in the PBA which is perhaps the reason why he wasn’t selected in his first 11 years in the league, Hodge expressed surprise after finally making it at this point of his career.

“It’s really crazy. I really thought after a certain point that I would never make an All-Star team, because as you get older, you don’t expect it,” said the Bolts forward who will be playing for Team Barroca on Sunday, March 24.

“I was just so used to not making it that finally making it in my 12th year is crazy and a testament to the hard work that I put in,” he added.

Hodge admitted that he wanted to be part of the festivities back in his younger days in the league but grew not to mind the numerous snubs and instead focused on becoming a better player.

“The times that you don’t make it actually build character and make you a better person. By not making the All-Star Game has forced me to keep pushing and pushing and getting better,” said Hodge.

Now getting the chance to play in the all-star, Hodge vowed to not veer away from his identity and bring the same defense that has become his calling card in the PBA.

“I want to say let’s be competitive, let’s play some defense, but I don’t know, I’ve never been in it. I don’t know how it’s going to go. But I’m just going to do what I usually do, play hard, try to get some stops, I might shot a little bit. It should be fun,” said Hodge.

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