SCHEDULE: PBA Philippine Cup Finals San Miguel vs Meralco
San Miguel Beermen’s Jericho Cruz in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Jericho Cruz found himself in a screaming match with a fan in the middle of San Miguel’s Game 2 win over Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
At around the eight-minute mark of the fourth quarter, Cruz figured in a physical contact play with the Bolts’ Chris Newsome which saw the former drop to the floor.
On his way up to his feet, he was seen pointing at a fan while having a conversation with a referee.
HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Finals Game 2 San Miguel vs Meralco
What triggered Cruz was being on the receiving end of derogatory remarks from a fan, who was allegedly hurling insults about his family.
“As a player, it’s okay for me to be cursed at, but he included my family with the way he said it,” said Cruz after their 95-94 win over Meralco.
“For me, it’s okay to be cursed at by fans. This is our job. It’s okay with me, it’s nothing personal as long as they don’t involve my parents, mother, kids or wife. That’s different. If it’s just [about] me, no problem. I can take the heat.”
The Araneta security personnel were swift to act, with the fan getting escorted out of the building after a timeout was called by San Miguel.
READ: PBA: Love him or hate him, Jericho Cruz is all about winning
“I’m happy that they [security] responded right away… Just don’t involve my parents or my kid, it’s okay with me. ‘Di ko [sana] isusumbong ‘yon (I wasn’t going to bother with it),” said Cruz, who finished with seven points and two rebounds.
It was not the first time in recent history that a player figured in an altercation with a fan due to family members being included in trash talk.
Last year in the Governors’ Cup Finals between TNT and Ginebra, Tropang Giga big man Poy Erram turned irate when a fan hurled insults at his mother during Game 3 of the series.
As for Cruz, he said he had quickly moved on from the altercation and is focused on the next task as the Beermen try to get ahead in the PBA Finals series for the first time on Sunday.