CHRIS Ross is a San Miguel Beerman through and through, winning 10 championships with the ballclub and capturing two PBA Finals MVPs during his stellar career.
So it is a bit understandable that his stint with Meralco is kind of lost in the shuffle. Ross suited up for three years during the Bolts’ first few seasons in the PBA after it purchased the Sta. Lucia franchise in 2010 where Ross also saw action.
On Wednesday when the 48th Season Philippine Cup resumes, San Miguel will battle Meralco in the first game of their first title duel in PBA history.
Ross played in first-ever PBA game of Meralco
“I actually played in Meralco’s first game in the PBA,” said Ross, referring to Meralco’s 73-72 win over Barangay Ginebra on October 3, 2010 where Nelbert Omolon topscored with 14 points, and Mac Cardona had 12 and sank the marginal shot for the Bolts, then coached by Ryan Gregorio.
Ross had four points in the game that also had Beau Belga, Marlou Aquino, and Asi Taulava as some of Meralco’s notable players. Pong Escobal, Yousif Aljamal, Gabby Espinas, and Dennis Daa were also on the floor for the Bolts in the contest.
Ross played for the Bolts until 2013, and during the lead-up to the 2013-2014 season, he, along with Chris Timberlake, was traded initially to GlobalPort for Gary David and AJ Mandani. But Ross never saw any action for the Batang Pier as they shipped him during the same offseason to the then-Petron Blaze Boosters for Denok Miranda.
Ironically, Ross is now standing in Meralco’s way of capturing its first-ever PBA championship, but there is still a part of him that is happy for the people that have been with the ballclub since he was there.
“It’s kind of a full circle moment for me. Cliff (Hodge) was my rookie (in 2012) and Reynel Hugnatan was my teammate. He is on the coaching staff. Also, the coaches are gone but the ballboys are still there. It’s kind of a proud moment for me that they were able to reach this. It comes a long way,” said Ross.
Ross said his Meralco days gave direction to his PBA career after a so-so stint with the Coca-Cola Tigers, the team that drafted him third overall in the 2009 draft.
“It’s cool that I played in their first game in the PBA and I’ll play against them in their first game in all-Filipino finals. I know what it means to them. It’s just a cool feeling.”
'Gave me a chance to show that I can play in the PBA'
“I feel like Meralco gave me a chance to show that I can play in the PBA. My rookie year was kinda up-and-down. I got traded over there (Coca-Cola) to Sta. Lucia which eventually became Meralco. They kinda gave me the ball and just said do your thing. I’m grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to show them what I can do.”
“But I’m happy where I am at right now. I’m ready to compete against those guys,” said Ross.
Now 39 and serving as a playing assistant coach for San Miguel, Ross said he is excited to battle with Meralco for a chance at another PBA crown for his resume, but he knows it won’t be easy with the hunger that the Bolts have.
“It’s kind of a proud moment for me that they were able to reach this. It come a long way. But as for us, the work is just getting started for us. We’ve been off for 10 days and we are excited to play on Wednesday and we can’t wait. We are just excited to get it started,” said Ross.
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