By Jonas Terrado
NLEX guard Jericho Cruz wants to make most of the opportunity playing in a high-level international competition as he suits up for Guam in Sunday’s 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers match against New Zealand.
Jericho Cruz, right, poses with Guam teammates Earnest Ross Jr. and Daren Hechanova during a photoshoot. (Photo courtesy of FIBA)
Cruz, who grew up in the United States territory before moving back to the Philippines, is set to make his debut in a FIBA-sanctioned tourney after being named to Guam’s 12-man roster against the Tall Blacks at the Calvo Fieldhouse in Mangilao.
The 29-year-old is allowed to play for Guam despite being a member of the Philippines’ gold medal team in the 2013 Nay Pyi Taw Southeast Asian Games since the biennial meet uses a different eligibility requirement.
“I’m really happy to be honest,” Cruz told the Bulletin on Thursday. “Just to be able to compete at the highest level and getting that experience is an incredible feeling for me. I could use this experience when I get back to my mother team.”
He is thankful that NLEX coach Yeng Guiao and top executive Ronald Dulatre gave Guam the go-signal to tap Cruz, who for the last several years has been targeted by national team coach and Guam Basketball Confederation President EJ Calvo.
Lets get it!
Guam proud ✊
pic.twitter.com/pWCifM2PZC
— Jericho Cruz (@jerichoXcruz) February 20, 2020
“Blessed din siguro ako kasi may nakita si coach EJ Calvo sa akin that maybe I could help the team,” he said. “That’s why I’m thankful that he chose me to be part of the team. And that’s all the players’ need, yung trust ng coach sayo.”
Cruz’s other teammates have Philippine ties in fellow Adamson alumnus Will Stinnett, ex-University of the East cager Chris Connor and one-time NLEX import Curtis Washington.
Guam is heavy underdogs against a Kiwi side that opened its Qualifiers campaign by beating perennial rival Australia 108-98 in Brisbane on Thursday.
It was supposed to kick off its Asia Cup bid last Thursday against Hong Kong but was postponed due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
“It’s gonna be tough playing against New Zealand but we will do our best,” Cruz said. “Preparation’s been good, medyo nangangapa pa kasi first time ko makasama yung mga players dito pero overall makukuha ko din yan pag dating ng game namin sa Sunday.”
Source: Manila Bulletin
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