It was just days ago when Jericho Cruz helplessly watched San Miguel bow to Magnolia in Game 3 of the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
The hard-nosed winger was reduced to a fan watching at home, as he had to serve a one-game suspension after accumulating five technical fouls. Per league rules, garnering that many T’s automatically leads to the said penalty.
He did return to the fold for Game 4, but it wasn’t until Game 5 of the best-of-7 title series on Sunday night that his presence was felt the most.
Cruz tied his career-high of 30 points on eight triples, including the dagger from the right pocket with 51.9 seconds left to play, to power the Beermen to a 108-98 victory and move a step closer to winning another championship.
It was truly a perfect atonement but the 33-year-old said that he’s no longer carrying any burden whatsoever from that untimely suspension.
“Para sa akin ‘di na, I just moved on. ‘Di naman natin maibabalik ‘yun eh,” he said after the game at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Preparing lang ako what’s coming — ‘yung game na ‘to. ‘Yun lang. My focus was to play this game. After tonight, focus again on the next game.”
His 30-piece was a bounce-back outing for him as well after going just 1-of-6 from deep in the last game, although he still mustered 11 points.
Furthermore, it’s the best playoff game of his career yet, and it couldn’t have come at the most opportune time as it enabled the league’s winningest franchise to move one win away from earning their 29th championship overall.
“Well ah… binibigay talaga nila ‘yung labas e,” said Cruz of his performance that saw him shoot 11-of-22 from the field. “So for me, kailangan ko i-hit ‘yun. Kasi kung ‘di namin masu-shoot ‘yung labas, sisikip ‘yung game namin.”
“I’ve been working on it in practice. Once na i-kick out sa akin, talagang ititira ko. It’s more of just being confident,” he added.
To have performed that way against the reigning Defensive Player of the Year — and good pal — Jio Jalalon makes him all the more honored. Both men even had a bit of banter during the fourth quarter amidst the tight encounter.
(C) PBA Images
“I have big respect for Jio. Coming off a Defensive Player of the Year, and him guarding me parang kumpiyansa ako na ang galing ng bumabantay sa akin,” Cruz said. “Pero when it comes to competition, I respect him a lot.
“He’s one of my good friends Kanina medyo sweet lang naman ‘yun, more of sinasabi sa’kin na, ‘Mainit ka ngayon ah.’ ‘Yun lang naman.”
“Ta’s sabi ko sa kanya na ‘wag niya na ‘kong bantayan kasi baka maagawan mo pa ‘ko,” he added with a chuckle. “‘Yun lang. Pero we’re good friends.”
As big as his night was, Cruz remains locked in especially on Game 6 on Wednesday, where San Miguel will try to finish the series.
“Job’s not finished yet,” he said. “Back to the drawing board. See kung ano ‘yung mga binigay nina Coach sa amin na game plan. Preparation. ‘Yun lang ‘yung susundin namin para sa next game. Pero job’s not finished yet.”
