PBA: ‘Super hungry’ Cliff Hodge vows to give his all as he eyes first title with Meralco Bolts

“Super hungry.”

This was how Cliff Hodge described his desire to win a championship for Meralco in the PBA after a string of heartbreaks against Ginebra in this stage in the past.

Hodge, fourth overall pick by the Bolts in the 2012 draft, admitted during the league's finals presser Monday, June 3, that he was scared of finishing his career without a trophy.

Meralco's Cliff Hodge aims for a layup against San Miguel during their elimination round square-off last May 4. | Photo (c) PBA

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“Not winning a championship is probably one of the things that I’m most scared of, of having a PBA career without winning one,” Hodge told a handful of reporters at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria.

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Hodge does pretty much everything on the court, from diving for loose balls to grabbing rebounds and swatting shots. Some of his contributions, no matter how valuable, does not appear on the stat sheet.

Yet, his all-around efforts day in and day out has not amounted to a title so far.

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Meralco has lost its four finals appearances, all against the Gin Kings, including the 2016 Governors’ Cup that snapped Ginebra’s eight-year dry spell.

Hodge is hoping it will all come together for him and the Bolts this time as they collide with San Miguel in the finals beginning Wednesday, June 5.

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“I super want to win this,” said Hodge.

“I’m just going to do whatever I can, whatever the team needs: dive for the loose ball, try to get every rebound, and all the hard work will be there. Hopefully, that's enough to finally win.”