NLEX guard Jericho Cruz is currently in the United States to take part in Guam’s training camp for next month’s third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Cruz and the rest of the Guam national squad have been training at The Sports Academy, previously known as the Mamba Sports Academy in honor of Kobe Bryant, in Thousand Oaks, California in preparation for continental qualifiers in Clark, Pampanga.
Phil Handy, an assistant coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, is presiding over Guam’s training.
The PBA cager also got a chance encounter with Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, who was also training in the facility.
Cruz is expected to suit up for Guam in its two qualifying matches against Hong Kong on June 16 and 18 at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
Guam lost its only match of the Asian Qualifiers last Feb. 2020 against New Zealand, 113-94, with Cruz finishing with four points, four rebounds and five assists in his FIBA debut.
The 30-year-old Cruz, who was born in Pasig City but grew up in Saipan, holds a dual citizenship which made him eligible to play for Guam in FIBA tournaments.