IN the end, it’s just basketball.
Showing the other side to his tough guy persona, Jericho Cruz buried the hatchet with TNT, especially team manager Jojo Lastimosa, just moments after San Miguel bagged the PBA Philippine Cup championship with a series-clinching 107-96 win in Game 6 at the Philsports Arena Friday night.
READ: Tough-guy Jericho Cruz actually the sweetest husband and dad
Cruz gave huge credit to the Beermen’s finals opponent for making it difficult to regain the all-Filipino crown despite playing with a roster ravaged by injuries to key players.
The Finals MVP specifically sent out his love to Lastimosa and coach Chot Reyes following the best-of-seven series that saw him get involved in several taunting incidents and heated verbal exchanges with the Tropang 5G.
“Shout out kay coach Jolas. Alam niya naman na mahal ko siya,” said Cruz, who finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and six assists. “Tsaka kay coach Chot, shout out din sa kanya.”
Fiery finals
It truly was an emotional series for both teams the moment a controversial offensive interference was called on Mo Tautuaa in the waning seconds of Game 1 which paved the way for a contentious 99-96 win for TNT.
Everything reached a boiling point in Game 4 when Lastimosa traded barbs with SMB veteran guard Chris Ross, then later took note of what he termed as Cruz’s ‘showboating’ during the game.
Lastimosa, who worked with Cruz during their time together at NLEX, added the rough and tough San Miguel stalwart was acting ‘like a little boy.’
Cruz said he wasn’t able to hook up with Lastimosa at the din of San Miguel’s celebration at center court, although he did manage to reach out to coach Chot.
“Hindi pa nga (on talking with Jolas), pero si coach Chot, nagmano na ako. Nag-congrats naman ako,” added the 34-year-old former Adamson stalwart.
The finals drama and everything that followed are now water under the bridge, according to Cruz.
“Tapos na yun. Move on na and prepare for the next conference,” he said.
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