Jericho Cruz quiet as Guam men’s national basketball team stays winless in FIBA qualifiers 

Jericho Cruz’s journey in Guam’s qualification campaign has taken a sharp turn—from offensive focal point to a quiet presence—as Guam absorbed a heavy 99-67 defeat to the New Zealand men’s national basketball team on Sunday at the University of Guam Fieldhouse.

After delivering strong scoring performances earlier in the tournament, Cruz barely saw the floor this time, logging only two minutes and 55 seconds and finishing with a single rebound. The loss kept Guam winless through four games in Group A and pushed the team to the brink of elimination from the first round.

The contrast was striking considering Cruz’s earlier impact in the qualifiers. In the opening window, the veteran wing emerged as one of Guam’s primary scoring options, dropping 27 points in their first meeting against Gilas Pilipinas and following it up with 17 in their second encounter—games that, despite Guam’s losses, showcased his ability to carry the offense.

Against New Zealand, however, the spotlight shifted elsewhere. Forward Jack Andrew powered the Tall Blacks with 20 points and nine rebounds, helping control the tempo early before the game widened into a one-sided result.

Guam also struggled in its earlier home assignment in the second window, falling 93-80 to the Australia men’s national basketball team. 

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CLUTCH CRUZ

PBA Finals MVP Jericho Cruz led Guam to its historic first-ever win against Syria with 21 points, including a game-high five three-pointers and a clutch shot in the fourth quarter of their 2025 FIBA Asia Cup clash, 82-73.#AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/Rr0RnIFehM

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) August 9, 2025

Cruz played a larger role in that contest, seeing 22 minutes of action and contributing nine points, two assists, and a steal—numbers that reflected his usual involvement in Guam’s rotation.

Throughout his tenure with the national squad, Cruz has consistently produced across competitions. During Guam’s run in the FIBA Asia Cup, the former San Miguel Beermen standout averaged 16 points per game, reinforcing his reputation as one of the program’s most reliable scorers. Overall, he continues to post steady all-around numbers of 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists per game for Guam.

Still, Guam’s offensive inconsistency and defensive struggles have overshadowed individual efforts. Even contributions from players like Fil-Am guard Isaiah Africano, who chipped in two points and two rebounds against New Zealand, were not enough to keep pace.

With their campaign hanging by a thread, Guam now faces a daunting finish to the first round with back-to-back road games in July against Australia and New Zealand. For Cruz, the final window presents not only a chance for redemption—but also an opportunity to reassert the scoring presence that once kept Guam competitive early in the qualifiers.

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