Back in Manila, Chris Ross picks up the pieces after loss of dad

FILE – Chris Ross. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer guard Chris Ross is taking on 2022 in stride while mourning the loss of his father who died in November.

“Trying to put a smile, tryin to fight these tears from crying but Lord knows I’m dying,” posted Ross on Instagram. “I took time off from basketball to be around family but with the turn of the New Year I’m in the process of pulling myself out of that dark hole. My pops would want nothing less. So here is to 2022! I’m ready, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Ross hasn’t played since October 17 when the Beermen lost to eventual champion TNT in Game 7 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.

He then flew to Texas in November following his father’s death.

“2021 was as devastating as they come. It started off bad and I was in a deep hole mentally and I dug myself out. Then it ended with the most difficult three months of my life!” wrote Ross. “We lost my pops unexpectedly in November before the holidays and it absolutely crushed me and my family.”

“I love and miss you pops. Your legacy will live on forever I promise you!”

San Miguel’s veteran point arrived in the Philippines on Monday and is in the middle of his mandatory quarantine as he prepares to join team practices.

Ross, however, could see a later return to the court as the league postponed its games for the first week of 2022 after the government put Metro Manila under Alert Level 3 due to the massive spikes in COVID-19 infections.

The Beermen were supposed to play Phoenix on January 8 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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