
San Miguel Beermen’s Jericho Cruz celebrates his group’s newest PBA championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
MANILA, Philippines–There’s nonetheless some enterprise for Jericho Cruz to cope with after taking part in an necessary half in San Miguel Beer’s run to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown.
Cruz is scheduled to subsequent put his concentrate on serving to Guam begin off its bid to play for subsequent yr’s Fiba Asia Cup heading in the right direction within the first qualifying window slated subsequent week.
Guam will play two away matches on Feb. 22 towards Japan in Tokyo earlier than heading north to Ulaanbaatar three days later to face Mongolia.
“I’m excited to play for Guam. Hopefully, we will get some wins,” Cruz stated in Filipino after the Beermen completed off the Magnolia Hotshots in Recreation 6 Wednesday at Sensible Araneta Coliseum.
The 33-year-old has been representing Guam since Feb. 2020, being eligible to symbolize the island nation after the Pasig-born Cruz grew up in Saipan.
He’ll additionally use it as a pseudo-vacation since Cruz will probably be joined by his household, earlier than getting a full leisure in the USA to go to his mom.
Cruz is conscious that Guam coach EJ Calvo carefully monitored his efficiency within the Finals. And the way in which they noticed Cruz, they might have loads of good causes to be assured.
The PBA Press Corps’ Mr. High quality Minutes emerged as one of many important the explanation why the Beermen captured a record-extending twenty ninth title together with his twin position of creating key photographs and arising with the defensive performs.
However the final two video games noticed Cruz produce on offense, tying his career-high with 30 in Recreation 5, then had a few essential triples throughout San Miguel’s accomplished comeback within the collection clincher.
“If we misplaced this collection, I would really feel like I shouldn’t go,” he stated. “However since we gained, I bought my ticket prepared for Guam.”