Dennis Gaviola

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John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751641858384PBA Images9.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>San Miguel&#x27;s Jericho Cruz. PBA Images</div>MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel found the much-needed energy from Jericho Cruz in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Semifinals.Cruz made his presence felt, going second in team scoring with 27 points, including three-of-four makes from beyond the arc to go with four steals.He supported CJ Perez&#x27;s 31-piece, to the delight of SMB mentor Leo Austria.With this, the all-Filipino favorites have moved on the brink of PBA Finals, taking a pivotal 3-2 semis lead over Barangay Ginebra.The Beermen shrugged off a slow start after only making 12 points in the opening quarter.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/7/4/pba-san-miguel-takes-pivotal-3-2-semis-lead-over-ginebra-2242">READ: PBA: San Miguel takes pivotal 3-2 semis lead over Ginebra after Game 5 win</a></div>&quot;&#x27;Yung energy niya, talagang naging infectious dun sa mga teammate niya,&quot; expressed Austria after the Beermen&#x27;s 103-92 triumph over the Gin Kings on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.&quot;I think that was one of the worst starts ng team namin. After a win against Ginebra, alam nila &#x27;yung importance nitong Game 5. That&#x27;s why all out sila,&quot; Austria added, referring to the Gin Kings. &quot;And then naka-regroup kami.&quot;&quot;We&#x27;re able to catch up and get the lead after the first half, courtesy of Jericho,&quot; Austria also said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/7/2/pba-san-miguel-uses-3rd-quarter-breakaway-to-tie-series-vs-ginebra-1917">READ: PBA: San Miguel uses 3rd quarter breakaway to tie series vs. Ginebra</a></div>Austria also commended Jeron Teng, who had four points in just five minutes of play.&quot;And even Jeron Teng, nagpakita siya ng energy and nahawa lahat e, and that&#x27;s one thing na binibigyan namin ng pansin.&quot;The SMB tactician knows the importance of energy in his team, and they will likely lean on it if they want to completely oust Ginebra from contention.&quot;It&#x27;s energy and effort ang kailangan namin dito. It&#x27;s a matter of how to execute offensive and defensively,&quot; he said.The Beermen have an outright chance of returning to the PBA Finals in Game 6 on Sunday, July 6, at the same Cubao venue.

"'Yung energy niya [Jericho Cruz], talagang naging infectious dun sa mga teammate niya," coach Leo Austria expressed after the Beermen's 103-92 triumph over the Gin Kings on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

"'Yung energy niya [Jericho Cruz], talagang naging infectious dun sa mga teammate niya," coach Leo Austria expressed after the Beermen's 103-92 triumph over the Gin Kings on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

PBA: Leo Austria lauds Jericho Cruz as SMB moves on brink of Finals

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PBA: Leo Austria lauds Jericho Cruz as SMB moves on brink of Finals

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 04, 2025 11:51 PM PHT

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basketball

PBA Semifinals

Jericho Cruz

San Miguel Beermen

Leo Austria

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