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Ginebra's Cruz surprised with 'best game in two years'

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/02/16/jervy-cruz.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Ginebra&#x27;s Jervy Cruz shoots a free throw against Star. Cruz made 11 of his 13 free throws to finish with a team-high 21 points in Game 4. <cite>Richard Esguerra, <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/photos" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports</a></cite></div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – Not even Jervy Cruz could have predicted that he will be the hero for Barangay Ginebra in their 93-86 victory over the Star Hotshots in Game 4 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series on Wednesday.After a glittering collegiate career with University of Santo Tomas (UST) that included a UAAP MVP trophy and a championship, Cruz has had a solid but unspectacular career in the PBA. He played for five seasons for Rain or Shine, before being traded to Ginebra by way of Barako Bull last season. Since then, he has served as a capable back-up to Japeth Aguilar.In Game 4 of their best-of-seven Manila Clasico series, however, it was Cruz and not Aguilar who served as Ginebra&#x27;s go-to guy. The former &quot;King Tiger&quot; scored 21 points, making five of his 12 field goals, and 11 of 13 free throws. For good measure, he added six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block to his stat line.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2017/02/15/cruz-growls-back-life-ginebra-evens-manila-clasico-21944">READ: Cruz growls back to life as Ginebra evens Manila Clasico semis at 2-2</a></li></ul>It was an unexpected performance even for Cruz, who said after the contest that it was his best game &quot;after two years.&quot;&quot;Nagulat din ako,&quot; he said. &quot;&#x27;Di ko naman ine-expect. Sabi ko nga, basta manalo lang kami at maka-contribute ng kaunti, masaya na ako. Basta manalo ang team.&quot;Cruz credited his performance to an aggressive mentality and the desire to win, especially against a Star team that has found ways to limit the production of Aguilar (18 points in Game 4) as well as LA Tenorio (8 points, 5 assists).&quot;Every time na ipasok ako ni coach, gusto mag-contribute, kahit kaunting minutes lang,&quot; Cruz said. &quot;Talagang gusto ko lang manalo.&quot;&quot;Masaya lang kami, kasi ayun nga, nanalo kami at maganda lahat ang laro,&quot; he added.If Cruz was surprised at his performance, then so were the Hotshots.&quot;Mainit din si Jervy Cruz, talagang &#x27;di namin ine-expect na gagawa siya ng ganoong score,&quot; said Marc Pingris. &quot;Wala kami magawa.&quot;It&#x27;s safe to say Cruz will not catch the Hotshots off-guard on Game 5, but he promises to be ready if they scheme for him then.&quot;Aggressive lang,&quot; he said. &quot;Ganoon pa rin, walang magbabago. Basta aggressive lang kami, tapos pag may time na makakuha ng rebound, rebound at tulong.&quot;<div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports</a> website.</div>

Not even Jervy Cruz could have predicted that he will be the hero for Barangay Ginebra in their 93-86 victory over the Star Hotshots in Game 4 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series on Wednesday.

Not even Jervy Cruz could have predicted that he will be the hero for Barangay Ginebra in their 93-86 victory over the Star Hotshots in Game 4 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series on Wednesday.

Ginebra's Cruz surprised with 'best game in two years'

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Ginebra's Cruz surprised with 'best game in two years'

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 16, 2017 12:19 PM PHT

Read More:

PBA

Philippine Cup

Barangay Ginebra

Jervy Cruz

Manila Clasico

Star Hotshots

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