LA Tenorio’s game-winning three in Game 6 stung Jericho Cruz so badly that he went sleepless trying to process what happened.
The shot happened right in front of him — he tried to deflect Scottie Thompson’s kick-out instead of going directly to the 40-year-old. And that one mistake gave Tenorio enough room to knock down the triple.
Cruz could only pause after the ball went through the net, stunned as his last-ditch effort to contest the shot went in vain. Ginebra went on to take an 88-87 victory, forcing a decider in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals.
“Nung na-shoot niya ‘yun… Grabe, hindi ako pinatulog ng overnight — hindi ako nakatulog talaga,” disclosed the 34-year-old with a smile.
That’s why he couldn’t wait for Game 7 to come, as he wanted to get rid of Sunday night’s ghost — and fortunately, saw his wish granted.
San Miguel went on a killer fourth quarter to frustrate the Kings, 100-93, and forge a showdown with TNT in the best-of-7 Finals that starts Sunday.
“Sabi ko gusto ko bumawi. Thankfully nanalo kami, so na-erase niya ‘yun,” he exhaled moments after the match at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Cruz himself had four points and seven assists, playing a key role in their attack during that frame. He even had a layup off the break to cap off a crucial 7-0 run that turned a three-point deficit into an 81-77 lead, which put them ahead for good.
“Masaya siyempre, andito na naman tayo ngayon sa Finals. Eh alam naman natin kung gaano kahirap pumasok ng Finals ‘di ba,” he said. “Akala nga namin kanina, matatalo na kami eh. ‘Yung luck pumunta sa side namin.”
It wasn’t pure luck, though, with SMB going to Chris Ross to finish off the crowd darlings — and the others like Cruz simply followed his lead.
(C) PBA Images
“Vintage. Legend. Chris Ross. Yun lang masasabi ko sa kanya eh,” praised the 11-year pro of the 40-year-old, who finished with 19 points and seven assists.
“Siya ‘yung bumuhay ng team namin kanina eh. Nagsimula sa depensa niya eh. Sumunod na lang kami sa kanya,” added Cruz.
Thanks to yet another collective effort by Coach Leo Austria’s wards, San Miguel gets to continue its redemption story after losing the Perpetual trophy last season at the hands of Chris Newsome and Meralco in the Finals.
It’s still ingrained within the Beermen’s minds even to this day, so Cruz is raring to go in the championship bout that starts this Sunday.
After all, it means a chance to rectify their mistakes and reclaim the coveted hardware.
“Masakit sa amin ‘yun, kasi ilang years na ring straight na nag-champion ‘yung San Miguel. So ngayon, Talk ‘N’ Text, pagiigihan namin. Pagbubutihan namin,” the Adamson product said as he’s set to battle one of his former clubs again.
“Back to the drawing board, scouting report, more videos about sa kanila. We’ll learn sa kung anong gagawin nila so we can apply it in the game,” added the three-time league champion.
“Ready naman kami lahat, excited.”
#WATCH: Jericho Cruz says all their sacrifices were worth it after San Miguel’s hard-fought Game 7 win over Ginebra in the #PBA2025 semis 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/paflJrf20O
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) July 9, 2025
