GUAM is making its FIBA Asia Cup debut with 49th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup finals’ MVP Jericho Cruz suiting up for the team.
The Guamanians are bracketed separately from Gilas Pilipinas and are in Group B with Japan, Iran and Syria.
“To be able to play in the FIBA Asia Cup, malaking history ‘yun ika nga. Sana kahit maka-isang panalo kami para another history for us,” said Cruz, who recently helped the San Miguel Beermen win Philippine Cup honors.
This time, Guam has reached the tournament proper, after falling just short of reaching the 2022 contest, following a loss to Chinese Taipei in the qualifiers.
The world no. 88 Guam, which is many rungs lower than the Philippines’ no. 34 FIBA rankings, will be meeting Iran in their opening game in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“Napakasarap ng feeling kasi du’n ako lumaki. At the same time, maliit lang ang population namin at wala kaming pro league doon,” he said.
Cruz, who was born Pasig City but was raised by his parents in Saipan when they migrated there, will be in the company of teammates Alexander Kamai, Mark Johnson Jr. and Jonathan Galloway.
Iran and Japan are considered contenders in their bracket.
The team that finishes no. 1 in the pool will head straight to the quarterfinals.
