Can SMB sweep elims? Jericho Cruz says goal is to win every game

Can SMB sweep elims? Jericho Cruz says goal is to win every game

SAN Miguel Beer’s next target is to sweep the eliminations, said Beerman Jericho Cruz after his team secured a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Philippine Cup.

“May nakagawa na ba ng sweep?” Cruz asked reporters on Sunday after San Miguel beat NorthPort, 120-100, for its seventh straight win. “Siyempre, as much as possible, ‘yun goal namin is to win every game.”

The last time a team went undefeated in the elimination round was in the 2014 Commissioner’s Cup when Talk ‘N Text went 9-0 in a 10-team field.

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During the 12-team era, San Miguel posted a 10-1 record in the 2016-17 Philippine Cup.  But there was no drama leading to a possible sweep because the Beermen lost their second game.

But now, drama is building up as San Miguel reached seven wins without a loss, leaving it just four wins shy of an elimination-round sweep. It’s succeeding opponents are Magnolia, NLEX, Blackwater and Meralco.

Cruz said the team is not relaxing even with their dominance this season, always heeding the advice of head coach Jorge Gallent about how important each game is.

marcio lassiter san miguel vs northport pba

PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

“Katulad ng sinasabi ni coach Jorge sa amin na you treat every game as our last game. We have to come out every game and give our 110 percent,” said Cruz.

Cruz definitely wants to be on the floor if San Miguel is able to achieve the feat. The former Adamson player has been out the last two games after injuring his heel during their contest against Terrafirma last week.

“Day-to-day muna ako,” Cruz said. “Last game against Terrafirma, pag-rebound ko pagbagsak ko, may naramdaman ako sa heel ko. Ayoko naman pilitin. Kapag pinilit ko, wala naman ako magagawa sa loob. Magiging handicap na ‘yung team ko.

“Hindi ko muna iniisip sarili ko. Iniisip ko ‘yung team. Hopefully, maging okay soon at makabalik.”

‘Parang hindi nila ako kailangan’

Cruz said San Miguel has been playing so well that he joked that his teammates might not need him this conference.

“Magang-maga (‘yung heel). Siguro try ko more on rehab. Parang ayoko nga bumalik kasi nananalo ‘yung team. Pagbalik ko, baka matalo,” said Cruz in jest.

“Support lang ako sa team ngayon kahit sa bench, try my best to help the team kung ano ‘yung nakikita ko sa loob. The way the team is playing right now, parang hindi naman nila ako kailangan,” said Cruz.