Jericho Cruz had mixed emotions on Saturday evening, when he and the TNT Katropa faced the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the penultimate game of the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round.
Saturday marked the first time that Cruz faced his former team, who had traded him to the Katropa in the tail-end of the 2018 Philippine Cup in exchange for Sidney Onwubere, Kris Rosales, and a 2018 first round pick.
“First time, first time kong makalaban. Wala naman, mixed emotions lang – you know, playing against my old teammates,” said Cruz, the Elasto Painters’ ninth overall pick in the 2014 Draft. “Yun lang, mixed emotions lang sa akin.”
But then, he has to set aside those emotions and set his sights on the game, the same as another former Elasto Painter, Don Trollano.
The Texters acquired the 6-foot-3 Trollano in another deal – which, according to reports, needed five revisions before being approved by the league’s office – last March, in exchange for center Norbert Torres.
“Wala namang mga hard feelings. Nangyayari yan sa buhay ng player eh, natetrade ka,” said Trollano, Rain or Shine’s 2015 second round pick. “Kanina nga niloloko ako nila [Beau] Belga, sinisigawan ako. Pero wala, natural lang naman.”
The two were all business against their former team. Cruz had five points, seven assists, and three rebounds, while Trollano had six points, five boards, and two dimes to contribute in TNT’s 100-85 dismantling of the Elasto Painters.
“No-bearing na sa kanila so I don’t think they have anything to prove because they have the number one seed right now. Siguro parang binigay lang ata ni coach Caloy [Garcia] yung game sa amin eh,” shared Cruz with a chuckle.
The victory not only gives them enough momentum for the quarterfinals, but it also helped them clinch the third seed, which places them in a best-of-three series. TNT will face the San Miguel Beermen in the playoffs.
“Kailangan din namin manalo eh, going into the playoffs kailangan may kumpiyansa,” said Trollano.
