Jericho Cruz admits formidable odds Guam faces vs Gilas
MONTALBAN, Rizal – Jericho Cruz is thrilled to see Guam compete against Asia's finest teams for a spot in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
“Masaya siyempre,” said Cruz on Sunday after Guam was drawn to play in Group A of the Asia qualifiers which will begin play in the November 2025 window.
“Get to play in the highest stage. First time ‘yun na nangyari sa Guam. History made namin ‘yun," the San Miguel guard said. "Ngayon lang kami nakaabot sa ganun eh. I’m so happy and blessed at the same time.”
Guam became part of the World Cup qualifiers after being one of the two teams that booked seats in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 through the final qualifying tournament for the East region last March.
But ironically, one of the teams that Cruz and Guam will be playing is Gilas Pilipinas, which has his San Miguel teammates June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez as mainstays.
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Cruz once played for the Philippine national team, being a part of the Southeast Asian Games gold medalisrs in 2013 in Naypyidaw, Myanmar before shifting his allegiance to Guam in 2020.
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Cruz acknowledged how tough it will be for Guam to overcome the Philippines in the Asian qualifiers, so the plan of the team is just play its game, see what happens, and gain experience from it.
“Siyempre, facing Gilas, we all know naman kung anong kaya nilang gawin. So ‘yung team namin, we are just there to have fun and enjoy the moment, and try to get experience from it,” said Cruz.
Aside from Gilas, Guam will also be up against world No. 7 Australia and No. 22 New Zealand in home-and-away qualifiers to be played across six windows.
“Mahihina nga eh – Australia, New Zealand, Gilas. Mahina,” Cruz jokingly said. “Pero nandoon kami para mag-enjoy. ‘Yun naman ang goal namin eh, maka-reach kami sa qualifier.”
“Nothing to be stressed about. Pumunta kami doon, maglaro kami doon and have fun,” he said. "Win or lose, we are just there to have fun. Na-reach na namin goal namin.
"Hindi natin masabi, baka maka-chamba kami. Pero ‘yung chamba na ‘yun, mga two percent lang ‘yun. Knowing Gilas, sobrang lakas nila at mga kalaban naming iba.”
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