San Miguel Beermen’s Jericho Cruz in the course of the PBA Philippine CUp Finals Recreation 4 in opposition to TNT Tropang 5G. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer guard Jericho Cruz was stunned, to say the least, by TNT group supervisor Jojo Lastimosa’s feedback about him after Recreation 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
Following the Beermen’s 105-91 win over the Tropang 5G at Mall of Asia Area, Lastimosa approached members of the press and aired his dismay over Cruz’s late-game shenanigans.
READ: PBA Finals: San Miguel nears title, fends off TNT in Recreation 4
In line with Lastimosa, Cruz’s actions down the stretch—when the Beermen had been already successful—had been uncalled for.
😬😬😬
TNT group supervisor Jojo Lastimosa isn’t pleased with Jericho Cruz’s shenanigans after Recreation 4 of the #PBAFinals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Y2nbVAkvrN
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) July 20, 2025
Cruz, nonetheless, mentioned he was simply overcome with feelings and never essentially showboating.
“I used to be leaping as a result of I used to be joyful. I wasn’t showboating. I wasn’t even him (Lastimosa). I don’t even learn about that,” mentioned Cruz.
“I do know him, he is aware of me, we had been at all times collectively again in NLEX, doing taking pictures drills so I used to be stunned to know that he mentioned these.”
READ: PBA Finals: Recreation 1 loss nonetheless lights a fireplace in Jericho Cruz
Cruz, who completed with a team-high 23 factors and three rebounds, caught the gang’s consideration when he was hyping up the viewers within the dying seconds of the sport.
Whereas Cruz was mere ecstatic with the win that pushed the Beermen nearer to notching the Philippine Cup, Lastimosa didn’t take kindly to his overzealousness.
“Dinadaan niya na lang sa yabang lahat. The man has issues. He has issues and he’s simply bringing it on the court docket,” mentioned Lastimosa. “He’s performing up like a bit of boy.”
Cruz additionally cleared his title on the account of being a grimy participant, saying he’s only a “bodily” swingman who desires to win on the buzzer.
“I don’t harm gamers, I’m simply bodily and on the finish of the day, it’s simply basketball. After this, we go house, we respect them and tomorrow, we play basketball once more,” he mentioned.
Extra tensions between TNT and San Miguel Beer could brew come Wednesday for Recreation 5 of the sequence at Araneta Coliseum.
