JERICHO Cruz said he was saddened by the coaching shuffle at San Miguel that saw his college coach and mentor Leo Austria stepping aside for Jorge Gallent at the beginning of the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup.
At the same time, Cruz said he is focusing on the positive things that Austria taught him - and minding only the things that he can control moving forward.
“Para sa akin, malungkot din ako na wala si coach. Pero trabaho natin ito. Hindi natin alam kung kailan. Baka nagpapahinga lang si coach. It’s beyond my control. Kahit kaming mga player, hindi namin alam kung [hanggang] kailan kami dito sa team,” said Cruz.
READ: PBA great Terry Saldana dies aged 65
Cruz and Austria go back to their days at Adamson in the UAAP, where the veteran coach recruited him from Rizal Technological University to become one of the top collegiate stars of the country.
Cruz was reunited with Austria at San Miguel when he signed a contract with the ballclub last year as an unrestricted free agent.
Cruz said coaching changes are part of professional basketball.
“Siyempre business ito. Ang motto ko lang, control what you can control. Kung ano lang ang mako-control ko sa team na ito, ‘yun lang ang gagawin ko. Pero ‘yung mga decision, hindi ko na control ‘yun,” said Cruz.
The 32-year-old Cruz said as a player, he must do his best, whoever is at the helm, in order to repay the trust given him by upper management.
“Depende sa player kung gusto niya sumunod o hindi. Siyempre ako, student of the game ako. Kahit sino ang coach, I will give my 100 percent sa lahat ng ginagawa ko. Gusto ko rin maglaro. Practice lang ng maaga, kung ano man ang pinapagawa ng mga coaches natin, ginagawa natin ‘yun.
“Trabaho ko ito eh. Professional tayo. Gusto ko gampanan ‘yung trabaho na ‘to at [suklian] ‘yung tiwala na binibigay ng mga big bosses sa taas. Kaya nandito tayo sa San Miguel. Gusto ko suklian ‘yung tiwala ni coach Al [Chua] at boss RSA,” said Cruz.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
