Jericho drafted in PBA 1st round

Former CNMI national player Jericho Cruz wears the cap and jacket of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters after the Philippine Basketball Association team selected him No. 9 overall in last Sunday’s annual draft of Asia’s first professional basketball league. (KC CRUZ)

The No. 9 turned out to be lucky for Jericho Cruz as the former member of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands men’s national basketball team was picked ninth overall in last Sunday’s Philippine Basketball Association annual rookie draft.

The former Adamson University King Falcon was drafted in the first round by Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

Cruz first used the No. 9 on his jersey when he started playing basketball on Saipan. He also wore the number when he played for the Adamson Falcons and coincidentally his daughter, Pristine Thea, was also born March 9.

“Up to now he still can’t believe it. [The No. 9] was the first jersey number given by his coach and he never changed that. He feels it’s his lucky number. When our daughter was born on March 9 we got more blessings. Coincidence or not, but the No. 9 made his dreams come true,” said Cruz’s wife Mosh Carlos Cruz.

The 22-year-old is expected to beef up a Rain or Shine roster that already has Gilas Pilipinas members Jeff Chan, and Gabe Norwood.

Cruz, who won was part of the gold medal-winning Philippine team in the 2013 Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar, immediately took to Facebook and Twitter to thank all of his supporters, family, and friends in the Philippines and on Saipan.

“Thanks a lot guys. Sorry if I can’t reply to everyone. I want to thank Rain or Shine for choosing me to be part of their family,” Cruz tweeted.

Jomar Tumaquip and Dan Barcinas, Cruz’s former teammates, and coaches Joe Diaz and Elias Rangamar welcomed his latest achievement and were pleased to see the former Island Boy who learned and started playing at Garapan’s Basketball Court make it to the PBA.

“Congratulations brother! Your dream finally came true, now live it up. Stay safe and healthy,” said Tumaquip.

“First of all, congratulations and I wish him all the best on his new career as a professional player. I hope we could still play again for the CNMI national team,” said former Mt. Carmel School standout Barcinas, Cruz’s former teammate in the CNMI men’s national basketball team in the 2010 Micronesian Games, in a telephone interview.

Diaz, who coached Cruz as a 12-year-old with the G-Rollers, also has praises for his former player. “I’m very proud of his achievement. I am glad that he started off with me. His hard work had already paid off. He is there now in the pro league in the Philippines.”

Rangamar added that Cruz being drafted in the PBA will serve as an inspiration to the young players to work hard.

“The foundation of his skills started here on Saipan, it helped him get to where he is now and now kids here can look up to him. He really has the potential and this is great news for the CNMI basketball community.” (Jon Perez: jonperez13@gmail.com)