Almost everything clicked for Jericho Cruz and the San Miguel Beermen in their Game 2 win over the TNT Tropang 5G in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
There was a stretch where Jericho Cruz and Mo Tautuaa played the pick and roll multiple times in San Miguel's bounce-back 98-92 win over TNT in Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals Wednesday night, July 16.
At times, Chris Ross and Juami Tiongson also deferred to Cruz to orchestrate their vaunted offense as the Beermen eventually tied the series at one game apiece.
But make no mistake about it, Cruz was not exactly trying to transition to the point guard position. He was simply trying to step up with Cjay Perez, who is struggling to find his rhythm.
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"As a veteran sa team namin, 'pag si Cjay masama ang laro, kailangan isa sa amin ang mag step-up," said Cruz.
"Siyempre, ako 'yong backup ni CJ. Kapag nakikita kong medyo pangit ang laro niya, kailangan kong mag-step up sa game. Kapag maganda ang laro niya, siya lang muna ang maglalaro."
Cruz issued seven assists as he found ways to contribute after struggling with a harrowing 1-for-10 clip from the field for six points. He also tallied six rebounds and a steal.
Asked if taking on this role sporadically is something Cruz and coach Leo Austria discussed before the game, the former answered in the negative.
"Hindi naman. Nag-step up lang ako kasi kailangang may mag step-up. I have to man up," Cruz said.
"As a veteran, kailangan kong magstep-up para sa team. Kasi hindi ako maka-shoot. 'Yon lang ang maitutulong ko sa team: just to create for my teammates, to play defense kalaban ang mga star player sa kabila, si Calvin at si Pogoy, and sa rebounds. 'Yong mga little things lang din."
Although used to playing shooting guard, Cruz is no stranger to playing the point.
After all, he has done it multiple times already for Guam's national team.
"Nasasanay na rin. Sa Guam kasi, nag-po-point guard ako so nasasanay na ring mag-create for the team," Cruz said.
"Dati kasi dos lang talaga 'yong laro ko. So ngayon, medyo nasasanay ko 'yong sarili ko to be the point guard sa loob."
Will fans see more of Jericho Cruz the playmaker?
"Depende din talaga kung maganda ang laro ni Cjay. Ako, waiting game lang naman," he said.