JEDDAH – Jericho Cruz and Guam made their FIBA Asia Cup debut all the more memorable by registering their first-ever win in the competition following an 82-73 victory over Syria, Friday night at the King Abdullah Sports Hall here.
The San Miguel guard, with a sore right knee and all, finished with 21 points behind an excellent 5-of-7 clip from long distance as he knocked down crucial threes down the stretch to put their hard-fighting opponents to bed.
He knocked down three straight treys inside the game’s final 4:30 to give themselves an 82-69 lead with under three minutes to go, all but sealing the deal in favor of a program that’s just in their very first Asia Cup appearance.
(C) FIBA.basketball
“We just had one practice together. But the chemistry that we have, because we’ve been playing together, it led to an endgame like that,” he said.
“I’m just blessed, grateful at the same time that we’re here — the coaching staff, the families, and we got the win,” the veteran winger added.
Tai Wesley also came through with an inspired showing as the national team vanguard fired 21 points as well, alongside nine rebounds and eight assists.
Earnest Ross, Jr. produced 17 points, five rebounds, and eight assists while Takumi Simon added 15 markers and six boards for Team Guahan, who improved to 1-1 in Group B and boosted its quarterfinal hopes.
“I grew up believing that Guam can push through barriers,” offered head coach EJ Cavo, who’s been mentoring his team for 13 years now.
“And our team, from representing an island of less than 200,000, people can now get this opportunity,” offered the veteran bench tactician.
(C) FIBA.basketball
Up next for Guam is the dreaded Japan this Sunday at 7:10 local time, hoping to take the scalp of one of the tilt’s traditional contenders this time.
Star guard Keron DeShields, on the other hand, was the lone bright spot for the Syrians with 29 points alongside eight rebounds and six assists.
Now at 0-2, Syria are now in a must-win situation against Iran on Sunday as well, going up against a team that’s currently 2-0 in the pool.
