JERICHO Cruz’s accomplishment of winning the Finals MVP in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup is being celebrated by him but also by his former Adamson teammates at San Miguel.
Rodney Brondial said Cruz’s feat is a culmination of their experiences dating back to their college days along with Don Trollano with the Falcons where they were part of a team coached by Leo Austria.
READ: Jericho Cruz caps contentious series with PBA Finals MVP award
The four Falcons became champions in the 2025 Philippine Cup, with Austria now in his capacity as head coach after San Miguel defeated TNT in a riveting six-game series.
“Sobrang sarap,” Brondial said. “Alam mo, ‘yung pinagdaanan namin nung college especially ngayon, si Jericho, nag-Finals MVP, pakiramdam talaga namin parang kami rin ‘yung nag-Finals MVP kasi turingan namin, magkakapatid.”
The four were together at the same time for Adamson in 2012 and 2013, the final two years of Austria with the Falcons, with the squad missing the Final Four during that time.
It was those tough times were the former Falcons developed a bond.
“Masaya ako para sa kanya,” said Brondial of Cruz.
Now in the PBA, Brondial said being together with Cruz, Trollano, and Austria made it a fun environment at work.
“Iba ‘yung pakiramdam kapag pumapasok ka sa trabaho or sa praktis na parang tropa mo ‘yung mga kasama mo. Minsan nagto-tropang Seaman pa kami,” said Brondial, referring to his joke vlogs.
Brondial was one of the second stringers of the Beermen, and he delivered in Game 6 with collecting 10 rebounds – seven on the offensive variety – in helping his team outrebound the Tropang 5G, 48-25.
“Parang hindi pa kami makapaniwala. Sobrang pinaghirapan talaga namin at ‘yung pinagdaanan namin, injuries, hindi lang inaannounce. May pinagdaanan din ‘yung team namin. Makakatulog na siguro kasi every time na natatalo nung playoffs, hirap matulog,” said Brondial.
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