CHRIS Ross turned back the hands of time on Wednesday with a heroic Game 7 effort and led San Miguel to a familiar place – the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
Ross scored 19 points, grabbed three rebounds, handed out seven assists, and had four steals to provide the lift the Beermen needed to beat Barangay Ginebra, 100-93, and arrange a championship face-off with TNT.
Ross, who turned 40 last March, was emotional after Game 7 as he stood at center court as the final seconds ticked away, and it had something to do with his benching in last Sunday’s game where LA Tenorio knocked down a three-pointer to salvage Ginebra's season with an 88-87 win.
READ San Miguel outduels Ginebra in Game 7, gets shot at TNT in Finals
Ironically, the shot of Tenorio, who turned 41 on Wednesday, was an inspiration to Ross, prompting him to have a talk with coach Leo Austria about letting him play in Game 7.
Ross said he was devastated not playing in Game 6.
“I’m a competitor. And not playing in the last game, it hurt my feelings,” said Ross. “And then seeing LA do what he did, it was super inspiring to me. I had a chat with LA before the game (Game 7) and told him how I felt about him, just his journey and everything that led to him doing what he did. And it really inspired me.”
“And I told coach, we had a talk yesterday, I told him that I’m a winner. I just want to win by any means. I don’t care how it gets done. I stepped up to the plate. I told him that no one competes harder than me. No one plays harder than me,” Ross, who brought his child along during the postgame press conference, said.
“It comes from this little guy right here. The desire to win, I’ve always had it but since he came to my life, it’s multiplied that much more. I was just thankful that I was given the opportunity to showcase what I can do,” said Ross.
Ross let his emotions out after Game 7 when he sat at center court shortly before he was mobbed by his teammates.
“It’s a multitude of things but the biggest one was not playing last game,” Ross said. “I literally couldn’t sleep the last two days just thinking about it. I’m a competitor. I didn’t play Game 2 but we won. That’s what I’m all about is winning.
"I don’t care if I play 48 minutes and I play one second, if we win, I’m happy. And not playing and not winning, you really rub me the wrong way. I was covering up some tears after that because it was been an emotional last two days for me,” said Ross.
Austria admitted he also felt bad about not playing Ross in Game 6.
“Chris Ross was not able to play our last game, and I approached him and I told him na I’m so sorry of what happened. I'm so guilty at the time, but Chris Ross is a veteran. Alam natin he's a playoff player, and… I have to take my role as a head coach.
"Kung ano sinasabi nila, I will take the responsibility. And that's what happened because I know him. He's a playoff guy,” said Austria.
Since being benched in Game 6 and having that talk with Austria, Ross said his total focus was to bounce back in the decider.
“All I was thinking about since Sunday night was getting my chance. And when I had my chance, I wanted to take full advantage of it. We've been working really hard since. I personally have been working super hard on my body, trying to get healthy and wait for this opportunity to prove, not prove anyone wrong, but prove myself right,” Ross said.
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