Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The San Miguel Beermen spoiled the championship party of the Alaska Aces, dodging a sweep in the PBA Philippine Cup finals with the 110-104 Game 4 win on Sunday (January 24).
The Beermen survived the Aces in the do-or-die Game 4 despite the absence of injured star JuneMar Fajardo.
READ: Fajardo wins third straight PH Cup BPC award
Several players stepped up in the 6-10 giant’s stead. Among them, and probably the most unheralded, was Chris Ross.
Ross had an all-around game of 11 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists while making life miserable for his foes with his pesky defense.
Barangay Ginebra’s Sol Mercado attested to Ross’ impact on the campaign of San Miguel since the penultimate stage of the All-Filipino conference.
“He leveled up defensively, he messes up the (other) teams’ game plans, he pressures the guards not only defensively but offensively. He gives guys a shot at the right time and knows how to pass too,” said Mercado in an interview with CNN Philippines’ Sports Desk on Tuesday.
READ: Beermen show championship pedigree in Game 4 win
Even veteran sports analyst Sev Sarmenta knows the value of the cat-quick guard.
“Maybe (coach) Leo (Austria) has reasons. Many things are going on his mind but I think in Game 4 it’s the right time to deal with the Ross card,” said Sarmenta, who added Ross has bailed the Beermen out of trouble since the semifinals series against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
However, Mercado lamented, Ross’ contributions, mostly intangibles, were not amplified or given proper credit.
“In order to be playing well you had to score a lot of points, the guy that scores the most points gets the player of the game,” he said.
“Ross, on the other aspect, you can’t see him on the stat sheet.”
Nonetheless, expect more from Ross in Game 5 on Wednesday, according to Sarmenta.
READ: Beermen avert disaster, outlast Alaska in Game 4
CNN Philippines’ intern Diego Agustin Mariano contributed to this report.
