MANILA – Ilonggo Jericho Cruz was delighted that his two months of hiatus is now over after the PBA Commissioner’s Office approved his trade to NLEX Road Warriors from the TNT KaTropa last Monday.
In an interview with Spin.ph, Cruz said that he is excited to suit up for the Road Warriors as he will be reunited with head coach Yeng Guiao, who was his mentor when he was still with Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
“Nami-miss ko nga ‘yung mga mura ni Coach Yeng, e,” Cruz said. “Sobrang gaan ng loob ko at sobrang happy ko. Hindi ko ma-explain ‘yung saya kasi alam naman natin na umangat ‘yung career ko dahil kay coach Yeng.”
The former PBA Most Improved Player awardee added: “Kung saan man ako ngayon, dahil kay coach Yeng. Siya ‘yung bumuhay ng career ko sa PBA, binigyan niya ako ng chance na makapagpakita.”
After some impressive showings for the KaTropa last season, Cruz suddenly found himself being relegated to the reserve list by TNT’s active team consultant Mark Dickel earlier this season.
“Ang hirap kasi hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nawala, wala akong idea. Wala akong sagot,” said Cruz. “Parang ang hirap kasi walang nagsabi kung ano ang ginawa ko. I was left in the dark.”
“Wala naman akong karapatan na magtanim [ng galit] or sumama ‘yung loob ko kasi sila ‘yung nagpapasahod sa akin, sila nagpapakain ng family ko,” he added. “I have nothing against Talk ‘N Text. Kung ‘yun ang decision nila, I respect it.”
Now that he is with the Road Warriors, Cruz plans to get back on game shape and is also looking forward to team up with fellow Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena and injured guard Kevin Alas.
“Out ako for (more than) two months. Kumbaga ‘yung game shape ko, ‘yung rhythm ko, parang off pa,” Cruz said. “‘Yung conference na ito parang stepping stone namin sa third conference.”
“Kasi alam naman natin babalik na by that time si Kiefer Ravena, si Kevin Alas, and Kuya Larry [Fonacier],” he added. “So magiging stepping stone namin ito para maging ready kami sa third conference.”/PN
