Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
Photo from FIBA.basketball

2021 FIBA Asia Cup

Jericho Cruz torches Hong Kong anew as Guam awaits FIBA Asia Cup fate


Jericho Cruz bucked early foul trouble to lead Guam to a 46-point decimation of Hong Kong, 112-66, for a perfect trip in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers’ third window, Tuesday at the Prince Hamza Hall in Amman, Jordan.

The feisty NLEX Road Warrior got whistled twice with just about three minutes into the match, but that hardly bothered him as he helped his side continue its merciless attack on the opposition upon his return in the second frame.

He scored 13 of 17 first-half points in the said chapter, serving as the lynchpin to an offense so potent that erupted for 63 points at the turn.

The 30-year-old guard finished with a game-high 20 markers on 8-of-11 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. He also collected four rebounds and two assists in the 22 minutes he saw action.

Cruz carried over his fine play from Sunday’s 103-83 victory. There, he shined the brightest with 24 points on 5-of-8 shooting from deep, along with seven dimes, four boards, and three steals in nearly 30 minutes.

Tai Wesley, who nearly finished with a triple-double last game, produced 18 points and 15 rebounds in the triumph. Former PBA import Curtis Washington supplied 16 points, as Takumi Simon supplied 11 markers.

Fil-Guamainians Chris Conner and Ben Borja II also made their presence felt. The former made nine points, three rebounds, and three feeds, while the latter had seven markers and three caroms, steals, and blocks each.

Guam went 2-0 in the Amman bubble and has virtually booked a slot in the qualifying draw for the Asia Cup proper in August, and it now awaits FIBA’s decision on Group C leaders Australia and New Zealand.

#ReadMore  Well-rested Basilan hammers Roxas, move to verge of VisMin-Mindanao crown

The powerhouse teams backed out of the third window due to pandemic-related concerns, and it remains to be seen if the decision of basketball’s governing body on the two could affect their standing in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Yee Fu Chan had 17 points to lead Hong Kong, who’s now out of contention as they lost all their games in the Qualifiers (0-3).

Written By

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


You May Also Like

Basketball

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...

Basketball

Jericho Cruz and Guam opened their redemption run, romping Singapore, 82-59, in Pool C of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Pre-qualifiers, Thursday at Sri...

3x3 Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Women’s under-17 3×3 team could not make it out of the qualifying draw of the 2022 FIBA 3×3 Under-17 Asia Cup, falling...

Basketball

Troy Rosario was not able to rejoin TNT immediately after his tour of duty with Gilas Pilipinas in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in...

2022 Asian Games

The Hangzhou 19th Asian Games in September was postponed because of Covid-19’s omicron variant pandemic situation in China to a still-to-be-determined date, according to...

3x3 Basketball

The PBA has pencilled in the 3×3 Second Conference Grand Finals’ resumption for April 27 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. Commissioner Willie...

3x3 Basketball

Limitless will look to maintain its PBA 3×3 kingship as the Second Conference Grand Finals takes place on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum....

3x3 Basketball

Meralco conquered familiar foes Limitless App by way of a 22-18 decision to emerge as the early leader of the PBA 3×3 Second Conference’s...

Advertisement