Playing for Guam, Jericho Cruz admits his team has slim chance against Gilas Pilipinas and his San Miguel brothers — who he is facing for the first time in a FIBA competition.
There’s very little chance Guam will come out of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers alive.
At least that’s how its start guard Jericho Cruz sees it.
That’s because the island nation is bunched with Asia’s juggernauts in Australia (no. 7), New Zealand (no. 22), and Gilas Pilipinas (no. 34).
“Malakas nga,” he said, laughing, referring to their foes in the qualifiers set to begin in November.
But as a developing basketball country, this is the perfect chance to gauge their program and identify what needs to be done and improved moving forward.
“Basta andun kami to enjoy na lang. To get experience,” he said.
The burly guard from San Miguel is also looking forward to squaring off against teammates and Gilas mainstays June Mar Fajardo and CJay Perez for the first time in international hoops.
“Oo naman. Malakas yung Gilas. Sa mga sinasabi ko last time, two perecent lang ang chance namin to win,” he said.
“All we gotta do is enjoy. Enjoyin namin moment na yun. Syempre magkikita kami nila Cjay, June Mar after ng game, malamang lalabas kami ng mga yan.”
Though Cruz uses the word enjoy too much, this doesn’t mean Team Guahan won’t fight tooth and nail and gun for an upset.
Still, Cruz couldn’t help but marvel at Guam’s growth as far as basketball is concerned.
“Dati micro games lang kami, sa area lang kami na FIBA Oceania e. At least ngayon nag move up kami,” he said.
“Natatalo namin mga southeast asian countries dito, so kumbaga malaking bagay para samin.”