JERICHO Cruz's star has shone no doubt at San Miguel, where he has won two championships so far as well as a Mr. Quality Minutes award since signing with the flagship team of the SMC group as an unrestricted free agent.
His recent success with the Beermen, however, has also attracted hatred from rival fanbase owing to the swag he has been showing on the court.
READ Austria finds fulfillment in seeing Adamson boys flourish at SMB
But Cruz is taking the negative comments of some fans in stride, noting that his perceived arrogance and cockiness on the court is no more than a way to motivate and energize himself during games.
“Ang hindi talaga alam ng mga haters, sobrang passionate ko sa laro,” said the former Adamson standout. “Off the court, sobrang low key ko lang. Tahimik lang ako. Sa bahay lang ako with my kid and wife.”
At the end of the day, the 33-year-old Cruz said he only wants to play his best so he can give his family a bright future.
“Pagdating sa court, binubuhos ko lahat. Sobrang passionate ko, sobrang emotional ako, kaya minsan akala ng mga fans, sobrang yabang nito. ‘Yun ‘yung nagpapagana sa akin, ‘yun ‘yung nagmo-motivate sa akin, nagbu-boost sa laro ko,” said Cruz.
Whatever he is doing on the court, it is definitely working.
Cruz was the fourth-leading local scorer of San Miguel during the Commissioner’s Cup behind CJ Perez, June Mar Fajardo, and Terrence Romeo, averaging 12.1 points in 18 games, all but one in an off-the-bench role.
“Kung tahimik lang ako sa laro, talagang walang mangyayari sa akin. Patay ako the whole game. Kailangan kong i-boost sarili ko, i-pump up ko sarili ko. ‘Yung mga fans, nakikita nila, nakaka-shoot lang, ganito ganyan, mayabang na agad,” said Cruz.
Cruz's star turn
In the last PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Cruz erupted for 30 points in Game Five against Magnolia, helping San Miguel reclaim the series lead and eventually the championship the following game.
Incidentally, the same championship series also saw him get suspended in Game Three after incurring his fifth technical foul of the conference for taunting Calvin Abueva after a basket, resulting in an automatic one-game suspension.
Cruz said whatever he does on the court stays on the court, adding even his opponents know that it’s nothing personal.
“Bahala na sila kung ano isipin nila,” said Cruz, referring to the haters. “Alam naman ng mga kaibigan ko, family ko, ‘yung mga coach ko, kahit ‘yung mga Magnolia boys, alam nila ‘yun. Kapag ako kakampi mo, masarap na kakampi.”
“Wala namang personalan sa akin pagdating sa court. Trabaho lang. Kailangan ko rin magpakain sa family ko. At the end of the day, kahit kaibigan ko sila, kapag nanalo sila, hindi naman sila ‘yung nagpapakain sa family ko, di ba?
"‘Yun ang mindset ko parati every game. I’ll give my 110 percent. Pero hindi ako dirty player. Hindi ako mangunguna. Hindi ako naninira ng player. (Kung) ako ang unahan, siyempre babawi ako. Pero kung wala naman, walang problema,” Cruz said.
With the hate he is getting from some fans, Cruz admitted he has learned to shake it off and focus on the more important things. And that includes finding ways to improve himself as a player, for the sake of his family.
“At the end of the day, siyempre, ‘yung mga fans, respect ako. Opinion nila ‘yun. Pero God bless you, guys, kung ano ‘yung iniisip niyo sa akin, okay lang, walang problema sa akin. Enjoy niyo ‘yan. Kasi ako, kahit papaano, nahe-hate n'yo ako, ineenjoy ko ‘yung buhay ko.
“I’m happy with my kids, I’m happy with my wife, my family. Sa akin, hindi ko na iniisip ‘yun. Kapag may naghe-hate sa akin, iba-block ko na agad. Toxic ‘yung mga ganun. Pero at the end of the day, hindi kasi nila alam,” said Cruz.
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