ANTIPOLO – Jericho Cruz said he was provoked by some members of the TNT bench back in Game 1 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals, leading to him flashing a dirty finger last Wednesday.
Two days later, Cruz narrated the events that led to his obscene gesture which eventually cost him, as the PBA Commissioner’s Office is set to fine the San Miguel guard.
READ: Jericho Cruz to be fined for flashing dirty finger in Game One
The former Finals MVP, however, said he didn’t take exception to the incident since it is all part of basketball, with each team wanting to win it all.
“Wala ‘yun, AI ‘yun,” answered Cruz in jest when asked about the cause for his disciplinary action.
“’Yung bench ng Talk ‘N Text, wala naman ako ginagawa. Sinimulan nila ako. Pino-provoke nila ako eh. ‘Yung mga hindi masyadong ginamit nung first game, pino-provoke ako. So bumawi lang ako.”
Cruz said he was determined to bounce back both from the incident that spread on social media, and more importantly, from the loss in Game 1.
He did just that in Game 2, scoring 12 points in the Beermen's 111-92 win to even the series at 1-1.
READ: San Miguel turns tables on TNT in Game 2, ties PBA PH Cup Finals
“Kaya kanina, nung naka-shoot ako, sila ‘yung ano ko eh… inumpisahan nila eh. Pero at the end of the day, it is just basketball. Sa court lang naman ‘yun. Lahat kami, gustong manalo. Binibigay namin ‘yung best sa team. Binibigay nila ‘yung best sa team. Ayaw nila magpatalo, ayaw ko magpatalo. So ganun lang naman ‘yan eh,” he said.
“Pero off the court, wala na. Makikita ko ‘yan, babatiin ko lahat ‘yun. Kumbaga, trabaho lang, walang personal. ‘Yan lang naman ‘yan. At the end of the day, it’s just basketball,” he added.
Jericho's target locked
Cruz elected not to name names as to who provoked him from the Tropang 5G bench in the series opener, though it was clear in Game 2 that Cruz and Jio Jalalon got a little bit too physical against each other.
When asked if it was indeed Jalalon who provoked him, Cruz answered, “Hindi ko alam eh. No comment na lang.”
“Wala naman tayong ginagawa eh. Sila naman ang nag-umpisa 'di ba? Hindi ko na lang mention kung sino ‘yan. Basta ako, maglalaro lang ako. Kung ‘yan ang gusto nila, pagbibigyan natin. Wala naman problema sa akin ‘yan. Siguro, gusto nila ako inisin.
“Ok lang. Pero at the end of the day, 'pag sa labas ‘yan, ok naman kami, mga kaibigan ko naman ‘yan. Pero on the court, siyempre San Miguel ang team ko. Eto ‘yung family ko.”
Cruz furthered he is actually very close with Jalalon, who also wants to win a championship for his TNT squad.
“Close naman kami ni Jio dati pa. Ang mentality niya is to win. Kita naman sa kanya. Parehas kami. Ganun din ugali ko. Gusto ko manalo. Set aside muna ‘yung friendship. Siguro after the finals, kung sino manalo, batiin ko siya. At the end of the day, it’s just basketball,” he added.
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