One week into his stint with TNT, Jericho Cruz is the Player of the Week. PBA Media Bureau (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--TNT may have found its new go-to guy in Jericho Cruz.
Acquired through a trade with the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters on Feb. 15, Cruz led the KaTropa's late charge to the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Cruz made 17 points to help TNT depose NLEX to keep the team in the quarterfinal hunt.
[Related Story: TNT stays in playoff bid, spoils NLEX's Top 6 entry with blowout]
Cruz then dropped the same number of points and led the KaTropa's breakaway over the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the wildcard playoff.
[Related Story: TNT blazes in Q3 to oust Phoenix]
The PBA Press Corps honored Cruz's brilliance throughout the week with the Player of the Week award on Monday, a day before TNT faces San Miguel in the quarterfinals.
Cruz got the nod over fellow KaTropa Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, and Kelly Williams along with Barangay Ginebra's Japeth Aguilar.
While the Beermen have the luxury of a once-to-win advantage over the KaTropa, Cruz could be the series-changer as per Coach Leo Austria.
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