A hamstring injury kept Jericho Cruz from suiting up for Guam in its final group-stage game against Japan in the 31st FIBA Asia Cup.
And there’s the possibility the San Miguel Beer veteran guard may be out for the team for the rest of its campaign.
Coach EJ Calvo disclosed Cruz suffered the injury in the team’s previous game against Syria which saw Guam earne its first-ever win in the continental tournament, 82-73.
READ Jericho Cruz steers Guam past Syria for first-ever Asia Cup win
The 34-year-old Adamson product played huge for Guam in the historic victory, coming through with a team-high 21 points which he highlighted with a 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc.
Unknown to many, Cruz, named Finals MVP in the recently concluded PBA Philippine Cup title series between San Miguel and TNT, hurt his hamstring late in the game.
“Jericho pulled his hamstring late in the game (against Syria) and we’re hoping today (Sunday) it will miraculously feel better,” said Calvo after Guam lost by a blowout to Japan, 102-63, at the end of the group stage Sunday at the King Abdullah Sports City.
“But the hamstring is a tough injury. And it’s unlikely he’ll be able to go with the treatment alone in the next two days,” added the coach.
Guam finished with a 1-2 record in Group B to claim the No. 3 seed in its bracket.
It will face Group A second seed South Korea (2-1) on Tuesday in the qualification for a berth in the quarterfinals.
Calvo isn’t optimistic about Cruz playing against the Sokors.
“We’re now about 48 hours from our next game. So I’d like to say anything is possible, but it’s unlikely,” he said.
Cruz was in the game against Japan, but showed up in street clothes.
The Akatsuki torched Guam behind a tournament single-game record of 20 threes made, shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc (20-of-50).
In the absence of Cruz, who averaged 16.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, Earnest Ross Jr. paced Guam with 17 points, while Tai Wesley added 14.
Instead of feeling sorry about losing one of his key players, Calvo is looking at the positives going to the team's game against South Korea.
"We immediately looked at the team and said, 'Some of our younger players will get more opportunity, let's look at the positives, and that's going to be a great experience," said the coach.
"I look at the positive sides there. Jericho will be back at some point. We have more basketball to play, and we want our bench to also be ready to contribute. That's the situation."
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