IT'S just like playing in the PBA.
That's how Jericho Cruz describes how it likes going up against rivals Scottie Thompson and Chris Newsome two games into the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers between Gilas Pilipinas and Guam.
Cruz and Guam suffered a second straight loss against the Philippine side on Monday night, 95-71, despite the San Miguel Beer guard exploding for a game-high 27 points before a sellout crowd at the Blue Eagle gym.
READ: Gilas sends off Japeth Aguilar with 24-point home win over Guam
Asked if there's any difference playing against Thompson and Newsome in an international competition, the 35-year-old Cruz said there's none.
"For me it's pretty much the same. It's just like having different teammates like when it comes to the court, it's like wartime for me. It doesn't change anything," said the tough-playing guard out of Adamson, who engaged Thompson and Newsome in
countless PBA wars.
"It's like when I'm playing for San Miguel and he's with Ginebra. It's just the same."
It's the same as going up against San Miguel teammates June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez especially in practice, added Cruz.
"But at the end of the day, I respect those guys. They really played well today," said Cruz, humble in defeat.
He also wished Gilas the best in its campaign for the second window, and all the players for their respective bids in the resumption of the PBA Philippine Cup this week
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