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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Playing with emotion earns Jericho Cruz first Finals MVP award

Playing with emotion earns Jericho Cruz first Finals MVP award

Published Jul 26, 2025 02:54 pm

At A Glance

  • As emotional as Jericho Cruz was on the floor, he was just as lost for words after winning the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals Most Valuable Player award.
As emotional as Jericho Cruz was on the floor, he was just as lost for words after winning the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals Most Valuable Player award.
“Di ko maisip eh, di ko mapinta kung ano yung mga words na dapat kong sabihin,” admitted Cruz as he joined head coach Leo Austria during the post-game press conference after San Miguel reclaimed the all-Filipino Cup crown with a 107-96 victory over TNT in Game 6.
“Pero gusto ko mag thank you kay boss RSA (Ramon S. Ang) tsaka kay boss Al (Alfrancis Chua) kasi kinuha nila ako sa NLEX, gumanda 'yung buhay ko nung napunta ako sa San Miguel,” he added.
The 34-year-old wingman was elated to win his fourth PBA title,  but more so claiming an award that he, himself, never really expected.
To him, he was just being himself on the floor, may it offend anyone or make it look like he’s being too arrogant, as long as it translates to victory for the team – a mentality he credited to SMC Sports Director Chua.
“Yung ginagawa sakin ni boss Al mino-imotivate nya ako na ‘laruin mo lang yung laro mo na hayaan mo lang yung mga haters mo dyan kasi it's just basketball lang naman di ka naman nanakit,'” revealed Cruz.
“Emotional na tao lang ako eh, dun ko nakukuha yung energy ko. Kapag nagce-celebrate ako, dun ko nakukuha yung power ko, yung lakas ng loob so I'm just very happy na champion kami ngayon,” he added.
True enough, Cruz’s emotion and swag on the court do wonders for the Beermen. And it wasn't more evident than his performance in Game 6 where he sparked SMB’s second half rally behind a triple and a four-point play that sent the Beermen fans into frenzy.
He fired 11 of his 13 points during the third frame – a stretch that typified his impact for SMB all series long after also averaging 14 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
“Itong championship na ito sobrang sarap kasi kakabalik lang ni coach Leo uli then at the same time nanalo din ako ng award although bonus lang naman diba,” said Cruz.
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