JERICHO Cruz is well aware how formidable an opponent TNT will be in the PBA Philippine Cup finals, more so with the franchise aiming for a Grand Slam.
The San Miguel guard however, vows the Tropang 5G’s quest for history won’t be given to them on a silver platter.
“Papahirapan namin sila, yan lang ang masasabi ko. Papahirapan namin sila,” he repeatedly told SPIN.ph.
READ: SMB winless vs Grand Slam-seeking TNT so far in PBA Season 49
The Beermen themselves went through the wringer before arranging this latest title duel between the two flagship teams of the SMC and MVP Groups.
They needed a huge fourth quarter surge against Barangay Ginebra to win the deciding Game 7 of their semifinals series, 100-93, and make it back to the championship round of the league’s so-called crown jewel.
Cruz, who was part of the unit that rallied SMB in the final 12 minutes against the Gin Kings, averaged 11.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in the seven-game series.
San Miguel still hasn't forgetten about Meralco
The heartbreak of last year’s loss to Meralco in the same all-Filipino finals is added fuel to the fire for redemption-seeking San Miguel.
“Para sa amin kasi, masakit yun. Kasi ilang years na ring straight na nag-champion yung San Miguel,” said the 34-year-old member of the Guam national team.
The Beermen have won the Philippine Cup six times out of the last nine editions, including five straight from 2015-2019.
After the Bolts, another MVP franchise in TNT will try to keep SMB from regaining its title, while at the same time, try to win the league’s first Grand Slam in the last 11 years.
“Ngayon, bago ang kalaban namin, although MVP Group pa rin,” said Cruz, who ironically, also once played for the Talk N Text franchise for one season.
“We’ll see. Pag-iigihan namin.”
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