Cruz turns doubters into believers

NLEX Road Warriors’ Jericho Cruz, left, drives against Meralco Bolts’ John Pinto during their game in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum this year. (PHILIPPINE BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION)

Former CNMI National Team player turned pro Jericho Cruz is back on island and recalled his humble beginnings here and the challenges he faced and the people who helped him get to where he is now.

“I started playing when I was in grade school. I think, I was in fifth grade and then I played for coach Jose [Tumaquip] and the G-Stars,” said Cruz, who is on his fifth year with Asia’s first pro league—the Philippine Basketball Association—and plays for the NLEX Road Warriors.

From the G-Stars, Cruz suited up for Marianas High School in the then Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization League while also seeing action in various local tournaments (inter-hotel, inter-village, Mobil, and Rotary youth). He eventually made it to the CNMI Men’s National Team that played in the 2009 FIBA Oceania Tournament held on Saipan and the 2010 Micronesian Games in Palau.

He was already in the Philippines, trying his luck in the collegiate ranks, when he returned to Saipan to don the colors of the Commonwealth in 2010 and the 6’1” guard admitted having the toughest struggle when he was hoping to play college ball.

“At one point, I thought of just returning home or going to the states to get a job because it was really tough competing for slots on a college team. I practiced with guys who are way taller and stronger than me and I did my best to keep up with them. One coach even told my uncle I was not good enough to be on the team,” said Cruz, who is on Saipan to pay his last respects to his late dad, Joseph.

“But then, I remember the people back home, who used to tell me I could not make it to a college team, that there’s no chance I could become a pro. I want to prove them wrong. I know I belong here, so I challenged myself to persevere, work hard every game, and just focus on my dream,” said Cruz.

The former CNMI player eventually earned his slot on the roster of Rizal Technological University, which ruled a collegiate league in 2010 and was runner-up in 2011. Cruz turned doubters into believers when he made it to the Mythical Team during the 2011 season of the National Capital Region Athletic Association and the following year, he jumped to the bigger and more prestigious University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

In the UAAP, Cruz played for the Adamson Falcons for two seasons and he was one of the key players on the team. From UAAP, he played for Blackwater in the PBA D-League and helped bring the squad to the finals, making him ripe for the PBA Rookie Draft in 2014.

“Coach Leo (Austria of San Miguel and Cruz’s coach at Adamson) told me it’s time, so I took the plunge, but I was not expecting to be drafted that early. When my name was called as the No. 9 overall pick (by Rain or Shine), I could not believe I got picked, I was so nervous and it took some time before reality hit me,” the father of two said.

The baller from the tiny island of Saipan was regarded by PBA experts as the “steal” in the draft and Cruz did not disappoint when he made it to the league’s All-Rookie Team. He also rose to become one of the key players of Rain or Shine and helped the squad win the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup. That same year, Cruz was named the Most Improved Player and got the PBA Mr. Quality Minutes award, too. Also in 2016 and in the next two seasons, he was selected to play in the PBA All-Stars. From Rain or Shine, he made a stop to Talk N Text before being shipped to NLEX where he just signed a two-year maximum contract worth around $200,000.

“I feel beyond blessed to make it this far and I would like to thank my family and the people who helped me get here. Thank you to the coaches on Saipan that I worked with for giving me the foundation. They played a big part in my journey,” Cruz said.

While on his short visit on island, Cruz said he plans to check with old friends and teammates and meet with some youth players.

“I know we have a lot of young players here and I hope I could meet some of them. I know they have the potential and they just have to keep working and go out of their comfort zone to realize their dream. If a Jericho Cruz could make it, they could, too. They just have to go out there, explore, and see what life has to offer them,” Cruz said.