JERICHO Cruz sure has a unique way of doing his handshake with one particular teammate at San Miguel.
SPIN.ph's photographer in the PBA beat snapped a photo of Cruz appearing to flash a dirty finger at someone on Wednesday night. His San Miguel teammate, Mo Tautuaa, was in front of him in the frame.
The obvious impression, of course, was that Cruz's gesture was directed at an opponent, especially with the Beermen's PBA Philippine Cup game against Converge on Wednesday night getting a little heated at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
However, Cruz insisted the gesture was actually not negative at all, saying he was actually photographed while making a personal handshake with Tautuaa.
“That’s our handshake,” Cruz, using his verified page, wrote in his comment on the photo shared on SPIN.ph’s Facebook page. “It will turn into a heart.”
Cruz tagged Tautuaa in his comment.
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Even though the Beermen lost the game over the FiberXers, 100-97, the Cruz and Tautuaa played solid games. Tautuaa had 14 points, six rebounds, and one steal, while Cruz had eight points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
By the way, it wasn't the first time Cruz got caught up in a controversy of such nature.
Last November 2024, Cruz was also snapped by a SPIN.ph photographer flashing what appeared like a middle finger during San Miguel's EASL game against Chinese Taipei side Taoyuan Pauian Pilots at the PhilSports Arena.
Cruz figured in a fight with Taoyuan import Alec Brown in that game and was later ejected.
So was the last one similar or just an optical illusion?
We'll take Jericho's word for it.
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