Jericho Cruz played through an Achilles injury throughout San Miguel’s entire PBA Finals run

From the moment the San Miguel Beermen seized control on Sunday night, the outcome felt less like a question of if and more a matter of when. What began as a tightly contested battle gradually evolved into a familiar sight for PBA fans: San Miguel asserting its will, dictating the pace, and closing the door with championship poise. By the time the final buzzer sounded inside a packed Mall of Asia Arena, the Beermen were once again perched atop the Philippine Basketball Association, reaffirming their status as one of the league’s most enduring and decorated dynasties.

Powered by another commanding performance from June Mar Fajardo, San Miguel defeated TNT Tropang Giga, 92-77, to clinch the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup Finals. The victory sealed a 4-2 series triumph and added yet another championship banner to a franchise that continues to define sustained excellence in Philippine basketball.

While Fajardo emerged as the obvious hero, San Miguel’s success was very much a team effort, exemplified by star shooting guard Jericho Cruz, who revealed that he played through the entirety of the Finals while dealing with a lingering Achilles injury.

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“To those who don’t know, I think in most games, my Achilles hurts. Earlier, I even had a shot to keep playing because I couldn’t take it anymore. Sometimes I get too scared because I’m thinking of the negatives, like it might snap, so sometimes, I get really bothered,” Cruz said during a media interaction.

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Cruz’s discomfort was especially evident in Game 6, where he went scoreless in nearly 14 minutes on the floor. Despite the pain, the 35-year-old veteran expressed gratitude that his teammates rallied around him, ensuring San Miguel could secure the title.

“Our doctors said it was tendinitis and sometimes, it swells up real badly but I never lost hope. Our veterans were there to step up and I’m still happy because we are champions again,” he added.

The exact severity of Cruz’s injury remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether he will be fit to lead Guam in the second window of the upcoming 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, which is set to start in the second week of February. His participation could be pivotal, not just for Guam, but for fans hoping to see one of the PBA’s most reliable veterans bring his experience to the international stage.

For San Miguel, the Finals victory underscores not only the enduring dominance of Fajardo and the Beermen but also the resilience of its supporting cast — a group willing to battle through injuries, adversity, and pressure to add yet another championship to the franchise’s storied history.

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