Jericho Cruz came through with big plays down the stretch as Guam survived Thailand, 75-69, to book a trip to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, Friday evening at the UG Arena in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
The San Miguel guard dished out the key assist to Tai Wesley for the go-ahead bucket that broke a 69-all deadlock with 53.5 seconds to play and then struck the dagger past the defense of Freddie Lish with only eight ticks left.
He sank both of his freebies moments later to settle the final count and seal their return trip to the ACQ, where they are out to settle some unfinished business after missing the Asia Cup last year at the hands of Chinese Taipei.
Cruz finished with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a steal for Guam, who remained undefeated in the Pre-Qualifiers (3-0).
Jonathan Galloway led the way with 22 points and 19 rebounds. Wesley also finished with his own double-double with 17 and 12.
Earnest Ross, Jr. supplied 16 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a game-high four steals for the team of Coach EJ Calvo.
Lish, meanwhile, had 29 points and seven rebounds for Thailand, who absorbed its first loss of the Pre-Qualifiers. The Southeast Asian side won all of their four games in the First Round back in November.
The defeat, furthermore, spoiled the FIBA comeback of Tyler Lamb, who supported his good pal with 18 markers and six boards.
