At 40, Chris Ross continued to be a beast on the defensive end for San Miguel Beermen.
When the chips are down, San Miguel can still count on its elder statesman Chris Ross.
At 40, Ross proved that once again in the Beermen’s PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup conquest at the Mall of Asia Arena Sunday night, Feb. 1.
“Yeah, it don't (get old). Yeah, it don't get old. This is an amazing feeling, man,” he said after the 92-77 win in Game 6 of the Finals.
Ross didn’t need to score in bunches to make a huge impact for the Beermen.
In the championship-clinching dub, the former Best Player of the Conference put up nine points, four rebounds, five assists, and four steals while also putting the clamps on TNT main gunner Calvin Oftana.
Oftana heated up early, dropping 21 of his 28 points before the Beermen put Ross in front of him for the most part of the second half.
Oftana went scoreless in the final frame.
Ross admitted the coaching staff deliberately limited his minutes in the elimination round so they can preserve his legs for the playoffs where it mattered most.
“We had a plan this conference where I was going to slowly get into it until the playoffs and my minutes would pick up. I think we lost two straight and then they had to throw me in the starting lineup,” he said.
“Hopefully we can stick to that plan next conference where I can rest a little bit and then start ramping up when the playoffs start. When you're in the playoffs, I feel like veterans win the game. I've been in hundreds of situations.”
He added taking inspiration from NBA and Lakers great LeBron James, who is still playing at a high level in his 23rd season, the most by any player.
“Age is nothing but a number Like LeBron said the other day, he's in a battle with time. He takes it personal. That's my mantra right now. Taking it personal,” he said.
Asked how long he plans to still play, the 12-time PBA champion said it al depends on his body.
“As long as my body's healthy, I can go out there and compete. Obviously, I'm not going to play 40 minutes like I was 10 years ago. This team doesn't need that. We've got so many guys that can come in and affect the game,” he said.
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad/One Sports Digital)
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.