Yo Hodge, Keep Calm and Cliff On.

During the game between Meralco and Alaska, Meralco rookie Cliff Hodge almost saw his expensive braces fly off. Alaska's Gabby Espinas hit Hodge on the mouth with a swinging elbow. Fortunately for Hodge, and fortunately for Gabby's elbow, Espinas wasn't completely on target. Just imagine: steel braces + flying elbow = gruesome scene.

Cliff is sort of a Rudy Hatfield with younger lungs. Cliff is sort of a Sean Anthony who can dunk. So for many grizzled vets, Cliff will be sort of annoying. 19 points 8 rebounds in his first game. 20 points 11 rebounds 2 blocks in his second game. Hmmm, I guess this won't be the last swinging elbow Hodge will encounter.

So Benjie Paras has two words of advice for the hyper-energetic rookie: Mouth Piece.

I simply have 5 words of advice for Hodge: Keep Calm and Cliff On. MH