Life goes on for Jericho Cruz even if the very reason why he went to San Miguel is no longer running the show for the PBA’s most successful ball club.
Although he misses long-time mentor Leo Austria, the 32-year-old understands that it’s all part of basketball’s business side – a reality he himself is very much aware of, given his experiences over the course of his pro career.
“Nakaka-miss din si Coach Leo,” he said. “Pero ganun ‘yung buhay basketball natin e, ‘di ba? ‘Di natin alam – even kami, as players, ‘di natin alam kung hanggang kailan kami maglalaro or hanggang kailan kami sa team namin.
“Ito ‘yung business natin e, ‘di ba? Ako, I’m preparing lang myself. As long as pumapasok ako everyday giving my best all the time, kung mangyari man kung ano mang mangyari, at least alam ko sa sarili ko, ready ako.“
Austria, 64, was named consultant of the Beermen prior to the Governors’ Cup, with long-time deputy Jorge Gallent appointed as the new head coach.
That development, of course, sent shockwaves to the league, given that the veteran mentor molded the star-studded Beermen into one of the best teams ever – even accomplishing an unprecedented Philippine Cup five-peat.
And last season saw him beef up his roster by bringing in some of his Adamson University students, firstly big man Rodney Brondial and then Cruz. The two enjoyed the perks of the league’s new free agency ruling.
But it’s all different now. The decorated bench tactician has yet to rejoin the team since the shakeup. Then again, it’s about staying pro, said Cruz.
“Siyempre, professional tayo,” said the ninth pick of the 2014 Draft, who’s now his first full season with SMB. “Pagdating sa court, trabaho tayo.”
He showed as much on Wednesday.
Cruz finished with a game-high 22 points on three triples off the bench as San Miguel dealt Blackwater a 105-86 beating for their second win in as many games in the Governors’ Cup.
The 6-foot-1 guard out of Guam said that it is his way of repaying the coaches’ trust, which he’s glad didn’t waver after scoring just two in their conference debut versus Phoenix.
“Sinabihan lang ako ng mga coaching staff na just be you,” he said moments after the match at the Philsports Arena, “Kung ano mga ginagawa mo nung last conference na maganda nilalaro mo, gawin mo lang.
“Wala namang nagbago. Natutuwa naman ako kasi alam kong laki ng tiwala nila sa akin. Pero sa side ko gusto ko rin ibalik yung tiwala nila sa akin.”
His reunion with Austria didn’t last as long as they would have wanted but nothing will ever change between the two, Cruz said.
And at least, they accomplished something that they had been hoping for ever since their Soaring Falcons days before parting ways.
“Sobrang special sa’kin ‘yun siyempre,” said Cruz, referring to the 2022 Philippine Cup championship they won together just last September. “Magkasama kami nun sa Adamson, hindi kami nanalo.
“Kahit papano, nung nawala si Coach Leo, naka-champion kami isa. Siyempre ‘yun ‘yung mga memory na I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
