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Tag: Jericho Cruz

  • Jericho Cruz quiet as Guam men’s national basketball team stays winless in FIBA qualifiers 

    Jericho Cruz quiet as Guam men’s national basketball team stays winless in FIBA qualifiers 

    Jericho Cruz’s journey in Guam’s qualification campaign has taken a sharp turn—from offensive focal point to a quiet presence—as Guam absorbed a heavy 99-67 defeat to the New Zealand men’s national basketball team on Sunday at the University of Guam Fieldhouse.

     

    After delivering strong scoring performances earlier in the tournament, Cruz barely saw the floor this time, logging only two minutes and 55 seconds and finishing with a single rebound. The loss kept Guam winless through four games in Group A and pushed the team to the brink of elimination from the first round.

     

    The contrast was striking considering Cruz’s earlier impact in the qualifiers. In the opening window, the veteran wing emerged as one of Guam’s primary scoring options, dropping 27 points in their first meeting against Gilas Pilipinas and following it up with 17 in their second encounter—games that, despite Guam’s losses, showcased his ability to carry the offense.

     

    Against New Zealand, however, the spotlight shifted elsewhere. Forward Jack Andrew powered the Tall Blacks with 20 points and nine rebounds, helping control the tempo early before the game widened into a one-sided result.

     

    Guam also struggled in its earlier home assignment in the second window, falling 93-80 to the Australia men’s national basketball team. 

     

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    Cruz played a larger role in that contest, seeing 22 minutes of action and contributing nine points, two assists, and a steal—numbers that reflected his usual involvement in Guam’s rotation.

     

    Throughout his tenure with the national squad, Cruz has consistently produced across competitions. During Guam’s run in the FIBA Asia Cup, the former San Miguel Beermen standout averaged 16 points per game, reinforcing his reputation as one of the program’s most reliable scorers. Overall, he continues to post steady all-around numbers of 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists per game for Guam.

     

    Still, Guam’s offensive inconsistency and defensive struggles have overshadowed individual efforts. Even contributions from players like Fil-Am guard Isaiah Africano, who chipped in two points and two rebounds against New Zealand, were not enough to keep pace.

     

    With their campaign hanging by a thread, Guam now faces a daunting finish to the first round with back-to-back road games in July against Australia and New Zealand. For Cruz, the final window presents not only a chance for redemption—but also an opportunity to reassert the scoring presence that once kept Guam competitive early in the qualifiers.

     

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  • Jericho Cruz played through an Achilles injury throughout San Miguel’s entire PBA Finals run

    Jericho Cruz played through an Achilles injury throughout San Miguel’s entire PBA Finals run

    From the moment the San Miguel Beermen seized control on Sunday night, the outcome felt less like a question of if and more a matter of when. What began as a tightly contested battle gradually evolved into a familiar sight for PBA fans: San Miguel asserting its will, dictating the pace, and closing the door with championship poise. By the time the final buzzer sounded inside a packed Mall of Asia Arena, the Beermen were once again perched atop the Philippine Basketball Association, reaffirming their status as one of the league’s most enduring and decorated dynasties.

     

    Powered by another commanding performance from June Mar Fajardo, San Miguel defeated TNT Tropang Giga, 92-77, to clinch the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup Finals. The victory sealed a 4-2 series triumph and added yet another championship banner to a franchise that continues to define sustained excellence in Philippine basketball.

     

    While Fajardo emerged as the obvious hero, San Miguel’s success was very much a team effort, exemplified by star shooting guard Jericho Cruz, who revealed that he played through the entirety of the Finals while dealing with a lingering Achilles injury.

     

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    “To those who don’t know, I think in most games, my Achilles hurts. Earlier, I even had a shot to keep playing because I couldn’t take it anymore. Sometimes I get too scared because I’m thinking of the negatives, like it might snap, so sometimes, I get really bothered,” Cruz said during a media interaction.

    Cruz’s discomfort was especially evident in Game 6, where he went scoreless in nearly 14 minutes on the floor. Despite the pain, the 35-year-old veteran expressed gratitude that his teammates rallied around him, ensuring San Miguel could secure the title.

     

    “Our doctors said it was tendinitis and sometimes, it swells up real badly but I never lost hope. Our veterans were there to step up and I’m still happy because we are champions again,” he added.

     

    The exact severity of Cruz’s injury remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether he will be fit to lead Guam in the second window of the upcoming 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, which is set to start in the second week of February. His participation could be pivotal, not just for Guam, but for fans hoping to see one of the PBA’s most reliable veterans bring his experience to the international stage.

     

    For San Miguel, the Finals victory underscores not only the enduring dominance of Fajardo and the Beermen but also the resilience of its supporting cast — a group willing to battle through injuries, adversity, and pressure to add yet another championship to the franchise’s storied history.

     

     

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