THERE is no shortage of weapons for San Miguel when it comes to offensive firepower - and what's scarier is how it seems to have added another dimension in its attack through Jericho Cruz.
Cruz has looked comfortable creating plays for his teammates over the past couple of games – even running the point guard position for the Beermen at times deep in the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs.
And the veteran guard was at it again on Wednesday, as he made up for his bad shooting night through his playmaking – dishing out seven assists in SMB's 98-92 win over TNT in Game 2 of their best-of-seven affair.
READ: Trollano catches fire as San Miguel gets back at TNT in Game Two
“As a veteran sa team namin, 'pag si CJ [Perez] masama ang laro, kailangan isa sa amin mag-step up. Siyempre ako yung backup ni CJ, 'pag nakikita kong medyo pangit ang laro niya, kailangan ko magstep up sa game,” he said.
Over the past four games, including the crucial last two in the semifinals against Barangay Ginebra, Cruz has dished out 20 assists in total, turning the ball over just twice in that stretch.
Oftentimes, coach Leo Austria puts him on a two-man game late with either June Mar Fajardo or Mo Tautuaa, and he’s shown the ability to locate them with pinpoint precision.
“'Pag may ball screen, ang first option ko talaga yung mga big man na nagro-roll at nagse-set ng screen. Luckily nao-open sila, tapos napapasa ko nang maayos,” he said.
Jericho plays same game for Guam
Cruz said the adjustment wasn’t necessarily hard, considering that he’s also been playing as Guam’s point guard when he suits up for its national team.
“Nasasanay na rin e. Sa Guam kasi, nagpo-point guard ako eh, so nasasanay na rin mag-create for the team,” he shared.
“Dati kasi, dos lang talaga yung laro ko, so ngayon medyo nasasanay ko yung sarili ko to be the point guard sa loob.”
But Cruz insists that it’s not just playmaking. Whatever San Miguel needs him to do, from scoring and defending to ramping up intensity and annoying his opponents, he’ll do it willingly.
“Nag-step up lang ako kasi kailangan may mag-step up e. I have to man up. As a veteran, kailangan ko mag-step up para sa team kasi kanina, hindi ako maka-shoot e,” he said.
“Yun lang ang maitutulong ko sa team kanina, just to create for my teammates, to play defense kalaban ang mga star player sa kabila, si Calvin [Oftana] at si [RR] Pogoy, and rebounds. Yung mga little things lang din.”
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