Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) PBA Images

Basketball

Jericho Cruz hopes to pass on tough mindset to SMB in playoffs


Jericho Cruz shrugged off a scary fall during San Miguel’s eventual win over Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals, Friday.

The hard-nosed combo guard refuses to be held back by any pain whatsoever, especially now that the conference has entered into the playoffs.

“Whether nasasaktan or nai-injure kami, siyempre work namin ‘to so we just have to suck it up and go through the pain,” he said during the postgame press conference of their 127-122 victory at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Cruz fell hard on his backside at the 1:15-mark of the third quarter — and with the Beermen up big, 102-87 — as he attacked the Elasto Painters’ defense.

It took him a while to get back up but he played through it afterward. He then showed how unbothered he was, scoring SMB’s last seven points of the quarter to help his crew head into the final period ahead by 20, 109-89.

The 33-year-old would finish with a season-high 20 points on an excellent 70-percent from the floor, spiked by a pair of three-pointers.

As they now head into the best-of-5 semis against either Ginebra or NorthPort, staying as healthy as they can remains the priority for Cruz and Co.

“We just have to stay healthy,” he said. “Siyempre aalagaan namin sarili namin kasi alam naman natin na ‘pag playoffs, every other day yung game.

“Importante talaga ‘yung health namin dito. Kami as players, we’re here to do our jobs,” continued the nine-year pro.

#ReadMore  Sense of urgency, fluid ball movement led to Fajardo's 20-20 game
Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Meralco’s hopes of advancing to the East Asia Super League (EASL) Final Four were shattered on Wednesday evening, as the Bolts suffered a heartbreaking...

Basketball

It was a tad ironic that one of San Miguel’s former coaches played a part in the traditional powerhouse’s demise in the PBA Season...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – TNT pushed San Miguel in danger of missing the playoffs of the conference where it has a title to defend following a...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO — June Mar Fajardo is confident that it will only be a matter of time before Converge’s two young big men dominate the...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – San Miguel needed to call Lady Luck for some help in overcoming a vengeful Converge, 116-113, and breathe life into its flat-lining...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Kadeem Jack nailed the go-ahead bucket as NorthPort averted disaster and escaped San Miguel, 105-104, to return to its winning ways in...

Basketball

Meralco continued its mastery of San Miguel after coming away with a 100-93 decision to make the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal buildup...

Basketball

Is Malik Pope the answer to San Miguel’s prayers? The Beermen sure hope so as the traditional contenders have brought in the American big...

Advertisement