Rookie Cruz comes up big for RoS as Painters climb to first seed at Aces’ expense

Paul Lee of Rain or Shine (dark) vs Cyrus Baguio of Alaska (light). NUKI SABIO/PBA

MANILA, Philippines–He is officially one of the big boys.

Rookie Jericho Cruz was a walking masterpiece as his Rain or Shine Elasto Painters stunned the Alaska Aces, 98-95, during their PBA Philippine Cup matchup at Smart-Araneta Coliseum Friday evening.

Rain or Shine’s only rookie delivered the dagger with 18.5 remaining after he scored on a layup off Jeff Chan’s missed free throw to put the Painters up 96-95.

Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao said the youngster from the Adamson University deserved some praise after Cruz showed the savviness that a veteran has in pressure-packed situations.

“Jericho played like a veteran, he made his free throws, he made the game winner, he made us look goid in the end,” Guiao said as his team stretched their win streak to six games.

As of posting time, Rain or Shine are in solo second and could crack a top spot which would be shared with the San Miguel Beermen if the latter loses and both end up with 8-2 win-loss records.

San Miguel would face Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters in Friday’s second game.

Cruz put the wax on the envelope for Rain or Shine with a breakaway layup with 0.7 seconds remaining off an outlet pass from Paul Lee after Eric Menk botched a potential game-changing running hook.

Guiao anticipated that a match against Alaska would be a tough one and keeping the game close was the way to go.

“We just tried to play tough, all throughout the game we were playing catchup, we felt that if we kept the game close we can do it and we’ll take those chances,” Guiao said.

“I anticipated a fight, Alaska is a different team and you have to be tough to beat them.”

Lee tied the game at 93 with 33.8 remaining off an open three-pointer from the top of the key but Abueva quickly responded with a running shot in the paint with 27.9 left to give Alaska a 95-93 bubble.

Cruz had 16 points, on an impressive 6/7 shooting, six rebounds, four assists and three steals for Rain or Shine.

Lee paced the Painters with 19 points including eight rebounds and five assists as Beau Belga added a nifty double-double of 16 points and 12 boards.

Abueva led Alaska with 18 points and eight boards as the Aces fall to solo second on an 8-3 slate.

Menk also had a near double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds for Alaska.

Rain or Shine 98: Lee 19, Cruz 16, Belga 16, Norwood 12, Chan 8, Quiñahan 8, Tiu 5, Almazan 5, Uyloan 3, Tang 3, Araña 2, Ibañes 1.

Alaska 95: Abueva 18, Menk 16, Baguio 12, Casio 11, Manuel 11, Thoss 8, Hontiveros 6, dela Cruz 4, Exciminiano 3, Jazul 3, Banchero 2.