Jericho Cruz came up with the answers for San Miguel in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semis.
Fierce inside the court, Jericho Cruz showed his other side when he opened the post-game press conference following San Miguel's 103-92 win that pushed it ahead of sister team Ginebra in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals Friday night, July 4.
Cruz played his best game yet in a Beermen uniform after churning out 27 points, including 11 in the second period that sparked the team's spirited fightback from a double-digit deficit.
“Unang-una, kinapalan ko na 'yong mukha ko,” said Cruz, jokingly.
Cruz then explained how his performance stemmed from Ginebra's defense smothering June Mar Fajardo, giving him open looks.
“Lahat ng depensa, naka-focus din kay June Mar. Palaging na-o-open lang ako, so I have to take my shots,” said the flamboyant guard, whose team is now a win away from a return trip to the Finals with its 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven penultimate round.
“Araw-araw din kaming nagpa-practice, nagsyu-shooting, so kumpiyansa ako."
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Jericho Cruz makes his presence felt in Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup semis. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Cruz conspired with Cjay Perez to produce 22 of the Beermen's 37 points in the third quarter that allowed them to overhaul a 15-29 deficit and gain the upperhand 49-44 at the turn.
It was a back-and-forth battle since then, until Perez teamed up with Don Trollano in the fourth to secure the victory for SMB.
Perez responded with a triple while Trollano scored on an undergoal stab off a Fajardo assist to stretch their edge to 95-88 at the 3:03 mark after the Gin Kings threatened within two, 88-90.
Perez would score four more after that, then Trollano sealed the win on a breakaway layup off a defensive stop.
Perez wound up with a game-high 31 points to go with three rebounds, three assists, and a steal, while Fajardo put up 14 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, a steal and three blocks.
Trollano posted a fourth-best 11 points, nine of which in the payoff period.
Meanwhile, Ginebra was paced by Maverick Ahanmisi’s 19 points.
Scottie Thompson had 14 points, nine rebounds and a block, while Jamie Malonzo and Japeth Aguilar added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Troy Rosario grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds on top of his 11 markers.
San Miguel vs. Ginebra scores:
SAN MIGUEL 103 – Perez 31, Cruz 27, Fajardo 14, Trollano 11, Tiongson 6, Teng 4, Tautuaa 3, Lassiter 3, Brondial 2, Rosales 2, Ross 0.
GINEBRA 92 – Ahanmisi 19, Thompson 14, Malonzo 13, J.Aguilar 12, Rosario 11, Holt 10, David 7, Abarrientos 6, R.Aguilar 0, Gray 0.
Quarterscores: 12-20, 49-44, 74-71, 103-92.