PBA: Jolas to ‘showboating’ Jericho Cruz — ‘The guy has his problems’

Just like in the PBA Season 36 Governors' Cup wherein the then Petron Blaze Boosters dashed the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters' chances of sweeping the three championships of that season, the SMC-owned franchise can spoil the MVP side's party anew.

However, for TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa, the manner in which San Miguel won on Sunday, in particular with Beermen guard Jericho Cruz, was beyond what is accepted on the hardcourt. 

READ: Jericho Cruz catches fire as San Miguel runs away with 3-1 lead vs. TNT

"Parang bastusan eh," said Lastimosa before leaving the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, referring to Cruz's behavior when they were already holding a comfortable lead in the end game. "‘Di naman dapat ganun, lahat naman tayo naglalaro ng basketball eh, but he was showboating."

Defending his side, Cruz, who previously worked with Lastimosa during their time with the NLEX Road Warriors, said that there was nothing wrong with his actions, pointing out that he was just celebrating their victory. 

"Wala naman akong ginagawang masama, tumatalon-talon lang ako eh," said the Adamson University product when made known of Lastimosa's comments. "Hindi naman showboating yun, hindi ko naman siya tinignan."

However, this was not how the former Alaska Milk star received Cruz's gestures. 

"Magkasama kami sa NLEX niyan with Coach Yeng [Guiao], pero dinadaan niya lang sa yabang lahat eh," he said. 

"The guy has his problems. I know he has problems, dinadala niya lang sa court," added Lastimosa. "And he's just acting up, he's just like a little boy."

TNT will need to sweep the remaining games to both keep their Grand Slam hopes and conference lives alive, and for Lastimosa, what they need to do is battle through the on-court challenges and silence the off-court noise. 

"Wala munang kaibigan dito, wala munang kaibigan," he said.