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Cruz: Oceania caging scoring champ
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Posted on Dec 31 2008
Jurors tasked to select members of the FIBA Oceania All-Star may have had snubbed Jericho Cruz, but still they could not hide the fact that the CNMI youth cager conquered the scoring department in the 2008 Oceania Youth Tournament in Guam.
Cruz lit up the scoreboard of the University of Guam Fielhouse in Mangilao averaging 23 points per game in three matches in Pool A.
Cruz started sluggishly in the FIBA Oceania nailing only only 10 points in the Junior Nationals’ 61-102 loss to Guam But the Junior Nationals’ consistent top scorer in various leagues and tournaments on Saipan, found his marks in the second game, erupting for 29 points in the CNMI’s 93-84 win over Papua New Guinea.
In the third game, Cruz engaged New Caledonia’s gunners in a shootout, posting his highest points the tournament with 30 markers.
In three games in the elimination round, Cruz shot 27-for-57 from the field for a decent 47.4 percent field goal shooting. He was 11-for-19 from the 15-foot line for a 57.9 percent clip and was 4-for-13 from the 3-point area.
Cruz collected 21 rebounds, 18 assists, seven steals, and two blocks in three games showing those who selected the All-Star Team that he is an all-around player and is deserving to make the team, too.
Cruz’s impressive games did not end in the pool play, as he continued to burn the hoops in the playoffs.
He hit 23 points in the CNMI’s 74-97 lost to Tahiti. Cruz picked up where he left off against Palau, duplicating his output in the Commonwealth’s 100-90 win.
In the CNMI’s battle for fifth place against Fiji, Cruz, for the third time, fired 23 points in a losing effort.
After the Oceania caging, Cruz returned to Saipan and led the CNMI Junior Nationals to a title win over the Rollers, 70-52, in the 2008 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League. He swept the regular season and Finals MVP awards of the youth caging.
