Chris Ross may have carved out a successful career in the PBA, winning 10 championships with the San Miguel, but none of those would actually happen if not for Meralco giving him the chance to prove his worth.

And that’s something not lost on the two-time Finals MVP as he faces up against the franchise that became the launching pad of his decorated career in the league.

“I feel like Meralco gave me a chance to show that I can play in the PBA,” said Ross during the PBA Finals press conference presented by Bingo Plus on Monday, June 3, at the Crowne Plaza in Ortigas.

“My rookie year was kinda up-and-down. I got traded over there (from Coca-Cola) to Sta. Lucia which eventually became Meralco. They kinda gave me the ball and just said do your thing. I’m grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to show them what I can do,” he added.

Ross was actually part of the team that played Meralco’s first game in the PBA since it bought the Sta. Lucia franchise in 2010. He would play for three years for Meralco before they went separate ways when he was traded to Globalport in 2013.

Since then, Meralco and Ross blossomed into their own with the Bolts reaching the Finals for the first time in 2016 and would go on to three more trips although still searching for their breakthrough title.

Ross, on the other hand, found his way to the San Miguel franchise where the once defensive guard developed into one of the potent two-way players in the past decade. He would become a key cog to SMC’s nine championships as part of the famed Death Five squad and now serving as a playing assistant coach.

“It’s kind of a full circle moment for me. Cliff (Hodge) was my rookie (in 2012) and Reynel Hugnatan was my teammate. He is on the coaching staff. Also, the coaches are gone but the ballboys are still there. It’s kind of a proud moment for me that they were able to reach this. It goes a long way,” said Ross.

As a sign of respect for the franchise that gave him the chance to prove himself in the PBA, the through and through Beerman vowed to give the Bolts a fight in their very first Philippine Cup finals in franchise history 

“It’s cool that I played in their first game in the PBA and I’ll play against them in their first game in all-Filipino finals. I know what it means to them. It’s just a cool feeling,” he added.

“But I’m happy where I am right now. I’m ready to compete against those guys,” said Ross.