Jericho in impressive debut in preseason

Jericho Cruz showed no rookie jitters in his first game with Rain or Shine when the Elasto Painters played against the San Miguel Beermen in a preseason tune-up match in the Philippine Basketball Association.

It was a bit of an unusual game for Cruz, who was picked ninth overall in last month’s PBA rookie draft, as he played against his former coach, Leo Austria, who will be San Miguel’s new bench tactician this season.

Austria, who recruited Cruz from the Rizal Technological University Blue Thunder, coached the shifty guard for almost three years with Adamson University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

The UAAP is the Philippines’ premier collegiate league, which is considered to be a counterpart of the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the United States.

Cruz suited up for two years with the Soaring Falcons in the UAAP where he even played alongside Guam’s Will Stinett for one season.

Now Cruz is already in the PBA and is set to debut as one of Rain or Shine’s promising rookies in the All Filipino Conference, set to open on Oct. 19.

Cruz, who represented the CNMI and the Philippine national teams in various international tournaments, had a respectable debut in Rain or Shine’s preseason PBA game last week at Angeles University Foundation Gymnasium in Pampanga. He finished with 9 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal in 20 minutes of action.

The Elasto Painters, however, lost to San Miguel after Beermen forward Marcio Lassiter drained the game-winning basket with 7.1 seconds left. Rain or Shine had the chance to snatch the victory but Jonathan Uyloan’s shot failed to hit its mark.

Despite the loss, Cruz said he treated the game just like any other and it was a learning experience for him and the entire Elasto Painters as they prepare for the upcoming PBA season.

“I’m so happy to play my first preseason game in the PBA and coach [Yeng Guiao] even let me finish the game. I also played great defense,” said Cruz in an email to the Saipan Tribune. “It’s all good. We lost by one point but coach Yeng is happy since we fought hard despite being undermanned.”

Rain or Shine played minus Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood, who were given the chance to rest after Gilas Pilipinas’ stint in the 2014 International Basketball Federation World Cup in Spain, and Ryan Arana and Jireh Ibanez, who were nursing various injuries. (Jon Perez)