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Jericho earns spot on team’s regular rotation
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Posted on Nov 18 2014
Jericho Cruz has earned his stripes to become a regular member of Rain or Shine’s rotation in the ongoing Philippine Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association’s 40th season.
Cruz, with starter Chris Tiu still recovering from an injury, has been given enough playing time by Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. He usually comes off the bench replacing the likes of usual starters Gabe Norwood, Ryan Arana, and main gunner Jeff Chan.
Cruz, in the seven games he played since being drafted 9th overall by Rain or Shine in August this year, logged in a total of 120 minutes to average 17.14 a game and produce 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per outing.
Rain or Shine rookie Jericho Cruz, left, tries to get past the defense of Blackwater’s Riego Gamalinda in their game in the PBA Philippine Cup last Oct. 29. (KC Cruz)
The Elasto Painters’ rookie said he is thankful for the trust given to him by Guiao and the entire Rain or Shine coaching staff that’s why he gives his all every time he is inside the court either on offense or on the defensive side.
The 24-year-old played his best game so far in the Elasto Painters’ 107-79 crushing of the Meralco Bolts in a PBA road game in Davao City, Southern Philippines last Saturday. Cruz scored a season-high 15 points behind his 5-of-9 shooting from the field and was one of the six Elasto Painters who finished in double digits. He also had 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
Cruz also had a breakout game in the Painters’ 117-88 drubbing of expansion team Kia Sorentos on Nov. 2, scoring 12 points on a 5-of-8 field goal shooting in 18 minutes of play. He logged in his most number of minutes, 22, in Rain or Shine’s 86-83 win over Global Port last week.
Cruz scored his first points as a pro off a fastbreak play in the 3:14 mark of the third quarter of their game against San Miguel and he also drew a foul on forward Ronald Tubid. He completed the 3-point play to move Rain or Shine within four, 60-56, but the Painters lost the game, 79-87.
The former Marianas High School standout said every game is a learning experience to him and he is thankful that the coaching staff and the veteran players under the Asian Coating Philippines franchise are always there to support him.
