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Jericho out for Philippine Cup
Jericho Cruz celebrates with teammate Jonathan Uyloan, partly hidden, after Rain or Shine’s win against Alaska. Cruz, however, will miss the remainder of the postseason after suffering a bone fracture on his left foot. (KC Cruz)
Cruz, who about a week ago earned Best Player of the Game honors in Rain or Shine’s come-from-behind 98-95 victory over Alaska, fractured his foot after attempting to drive to the basket.
The 24-year-old former Adamson Falcon, the ninth overall pick in this year’s draft, said he was driving to the baseline when he accidentally fell down and heard his foot pop.
“But I didn’t feel it maybe because of the adrenaline rush. I still played and even run up and down the court like 5 to 6 times. After that, that’s when I felt the pain,” Cruz told Saipan Tribune.
Ginebra big man Jay-R Reyes was defending Cruz when the ROS guard was attempting for a baseline drive. Jonathan Uyloan was tapped to check in for Cruz after the latter signaled to the Elasto Painters’ bench that he needed to be replaced midway in the fourth quarter.
“I told coach Yeng Guiao that I can no longer play, I can’t stay inside the court, because the pain was killing me. It was unbearable. So he instructed my teammates to foul to force a deadball situation so I could get subbed,” the PBA rookie said.
Cruz then went to the Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital in San Juan City after the game for a check-up and doctors found out that he suffered a fracture on his left foot.
“I’m out for the rest of the semifinals and if ever finals,” added Cruz, who usually comes off the bench for Rain or Shane and is one of the best rookies in open court.
Cruz posted per game averages of 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals. He had his best game in the conference in that win over Alaska as he finished with 16 markers, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals to earn Best Player of the Game honors.
Cruz’s injury could pose problems in Guiao’s rotation since shooting guard Chris Tiu and forward Jervy Cruz are still out with injuries.
Rain or Shine, after a 99-76 thrashing they received from Talk ‘N Text last month, swept their last seven games to finish tied with San Miguel Beermen in first place with their similar 9-2 records and earn the first two automatic semifinals berths. The Beermen clinched the top ranking and relegated the Elasto Painters to No. 2 by virtue of their 87-79 win over the latter early in the conference. (Jon Perez)
