JERICHO Cruz is looking to build on personal accolades and inspiration drawn away from the hardcourt going into San Miguel Beer's quest to repeat as PBA Philippine Cup champions.
Cruz enters the 50th season coming off a vital performance in the Beermen's all-Filipino title conquest that earned him the PBA Press Corps Finals Most Valuable Player honors in late-July.
He also helped Guam, a country where he grew up, make history in its maiden appearance in the FIBA Asia Cup with a historic first victory coupled with an appearance in the qualification for the quarterfinals game.
But Cruz said those pale in comparison to the blessing his family received last month when wife Mosh gave birth to their third child.
"It's just basketball and siyempre hindi mawawala kumpiyansa ko everytime I'm always on the court," Cruz said.
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"Pero hindi ko iniisip na Finals MVP ako or yung history na nagawa namin sa Guam, ang pinakaimportante na nangyari sa akin is yung nagkababy ulit ako."
The veteran swingman, who turns 35 on Oct. 11, averaged 8.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 56 games for the Beermen, though his form peaked when they went on a run to regain glory in the PBA's most important tournament.
That is what he and San Miguel will try to sustain, especially with teams like TNT, Barangay Ginebra, Magnolia, Rain or Shine and Converge expected to pose a threat in the Beermen's reign.
"Katulad ng sinasabi ng mga coach namin, we have to take it one game at a time," he said.(JT)
