Jericho Cruz is coming off a stellar performance for San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup championship that saw him earn the Finals MVP award.
It looks like a FIBA Asia Cup stint for Jericho Cruz is in peril.
The San Miguel spark plug bared that he has been dealing with knee issues in the Finals of the recently-concluded PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, which the Beermen won in six games against TNT.
[RELATED STORY: Jericho Cruz basks in glory of fourth PBA championship, first Finals MVP]
“Since Game 1, hindi ko lang sinasabi pero may iniinda rin ako sa tuhod ko,” Cruz said, as San Miguel won a 30th PBA title with him being named Finals MVP.
“Everyday pag nags-shot si June Mar [Fajardo, nags-shot din ako ng mga pain killers.”
Cruz didn’t divulge any more details about the knee pain, but this development could hinder his national team participation in the immediate future.
The former Adamson standout has been representing Guam in FIBA tournaments, appearing in eight games during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers and averaging 10.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
[ALSO READ: June Mar Fajardo, Chris Ross savor 11th PBA title with San Miguel Beermen]
He has been instrumental in allowing Guam to see action in the FIBA Asia Cup for the first time, where they are bunched with Japan, Iran, and Syria in Group B.
But Cruz has yet to decide whether or not to join his national team for the August 5-17 tournament owing to his knee issue.
“Pag isipan ko muna the next two days kung papahinga muna ako or tutuloy ako,” he said.
[ALSO READ: MVP consoles TNT after failed Grand Slam bid: 'Nakalulungkot... pero hindi nakahihiya’]