Jericho Cruz says playing against Gilas is just like playing in the PBA

Gilas Pilipinas proved far too dominant for Guam in the first window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, cruising to a 95–71 win in front of a packed Blue Eagle Gym on Monday, December 1, to close the window with a perfect 2–0 slate.

San Miguel Beermen guard Jericho Cruz found himself in a rare situation as he lined up against the Philippines while representing Guam, despite being born in Pasig City, Metro Manila. Now in his 11th year in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and entering his fifth season with the Guam national team, the 35-year-old is no stranger to competing against Filipino opponents.

Cruz delivered a game-high 27 points and admitted in the postmatch press conference that facing Gilas felt more like a PBA showdown than an international fixture.

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“For me it’s pretty much the same. It’s just like having different teammates like when it comes to the court, it’s like wartime for me. I got to roll with my boys, the Guam boys. But it doesn’t change anything. It’s like when I’m playing for San Miguel and he is with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. It’s just the same. But at the end of the day, I respect those guys. They really played well today, and I wish them the best of luck in the upcoming conference,” Cruz said.

Jericho Cruz describes facing PBA rivals and teammates during the two games between his team Guam and Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers #FIBAWC | @jonasterradoINQ

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Guam head coach EJ Calvo also highlighted the value of the country’s developmental system, which regularly sends young players to Philippine colleges—strengthening Guam’s talent pool and providing its prospects with high-level competition.

“We really have to develop players who are then going to leave the island and play in college like I did, like Jericho did, and some of my coaches who actually played here at Adamson,” Calvo added.

With Window 1 now behind him, Cruz will return to the Philippines to resume duties with the San Miguel Beermen as the PBA Philippine Cup restarts on December 5.

The Beermen sit fourth in the standings with a 5–2 record, and with Cruz being the reigning Philippine Cup Finals Most Valuable Player, he is expected to continue playing a major role in their title pursuit.

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