Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 78
Cruz plays through flu, lifts Painters to 5th win
Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 153
Warning: Undefined variable $nocontent in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 236
Warning: Undefined variable $FEAT_STORIES in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 685
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 688
Warning: Undefined array key 0 in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 730
Feeling under the weather ahead of its Rain or Shine’s first game of the year, Jericho Cruz hoped that somehow, he will still be able to perform against Phoenix.
“Coming into this game, I didn’t expect coach Caloy to give me playing time because I was sick for four days,” Cruz said as he made his way out of the dugout in a thick jacket as he nursed his flu.
But on Sunday, Cruz did more than enough, providing the spark in the Elasto Painters’ 97-82 victory over the Fuel Masters.
The former Adamson Falcon caught fire in the second half, unloading 16 of his 21 points in the last two frames to lead Rain or Shine.
With him commanding the offense, the E-Painters jumped to a comfortable 21-point lead in the third, 66-45.
Cruz is thankful that Garcia had enough confidence in him to play even during his off days.
“Coach’s trust in me was there, so maybe that’s the reason why he still played me. I’m happy that it paid off.”
He’s also happy that his sacrifices in practice are slowly showing in his game with his improved sniping leading to his 5-of-9 shooting clip from threes in the night. That was none more evident than his three straight treys in a minute midway in the fourth as he quashed Phoenix’s belated rally and secure win number five for the Elasto Painters.
Cruz attributes his improved shooting to his teammates Jeff Chan and James Yap, whom he regards as “two of the best shooters in the league.”
“I can see it in them. So in practice, I double my hardwork. Everyday I come in early and after practice, I try to improve more on my shooting so that I can match them, too,” he said.
More than anything, Cruz is relieved that Rain or Shine was able to establish a bit of a breathing room as it sits at solo second with its 5-2 slate.
“It’s a big win for us. We may never know where we will be in the standings so this game is very important especially going against San Miguel,” he said.
The Elasto Painters face the Beermen on Friday.
Warning: Undefined array key "TESTPAGE" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 254
Warning: Undefined array key "fb" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 280
Warning: Undefined variable $thinq in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 318
Warning: Undefined variable $var_sports_vlurb in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 328
Warning: Undefined variable $isghub in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 429
Warning: Undefined variable $mindanaoQuake2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 442
Warning: Undefined variable $showSolicit_batanes in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 459
Warning: Undefined variable $seagames in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 475
Warning: Undefined variable $tokyoOlympics2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 481
Warning: Undefined variable $help_ompong in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 525
Warning: Undefined variable $elections_2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 538
Warning: Undefined variable $typhoon_2018_redirect in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 543
Warning: Undefined variable $ncov2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 555
Warning: Undefined variable $tyhoon2020_marthon in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 578
Warning: Undefined variable $dotnet23 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 585
Warning: Undefined variable $suicide in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 595
Warning: Undefined variable $yearend2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 600
Warning: Undefined array key "inqplus_test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 609
Warning: Undefined array key "newreadnext" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 664
Warning: Undefined array key "test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 802
EDITORS' PICK
Warning: Undefined variable $data_for_HompageFG_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 816
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 819
Warning: Undefined variable $MR_data_for_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
Warning: Undefined variable $bc_tag in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 1239