Road Warrior renders service to Guam 5 anew

MANILA, Philippines — The NLEX Road Warriors have excused guard Jericho Cruz from team chores while the seven-year pro fulfills his national squad duties with Guam.

Cruz is currently training with the Guamanian squad in the United States ahead of its campaign in next month’s FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Clark, Pampanga.

“After representing Guam, Cruz will rejoin his mother team in the PBA, the NLEX Road Warriors, for the start of the new season, tentatively set in June,” the ballclub said in its website.

Cruz and his Guam teammates will play Hong Kong twice on June 16 and 18, hoping to improve their standing in Group C.

The former Adamson star previously saw action for Guam in its 94-113 loss to New Zealand in February 2020 in Guam, logging four points, four rebounds and five assists in 26 minutes.

“The experience of playing international basketball is one thing I truly cherish,” the Fil-Guamanian said.

Cruz said he’s making the most of his opportunity to improve in the Guam training camp under coach Phil Handy, an assistant coach with the Lakers.

“It’s going good. I’m learning a lot, the small details of the game and how to be a winner on and off the court,” he said.

The 30-year-old Cruz will actually be the lone PBA player in the Clark meet. Gilas Pilipinas will go to battle with an all-cadet crew in Group A.