Jericho Cruz in motion with Guam within the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup. –FIBA PHOTO

Jericho Cruz didn’t go well with up once more because of a hamstring harm as Guam ended its maiden marketing campaign within the Fiba Asia Cup with a 99-66 loss to South Korea within the qualification for the quarterfinals on Tuesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The San Miguel Beer mainstay, who acquired harm following the landmark win over Syria in group play, was sorely missed as Guam didn’t maintain its lead within the first quarter earlier than South Korea turned the competition right into a blowout at King Abdullah Sports activities Metropolis.

READ: Jericho Cruz leads Guam to historic Fiba Asia Cup win

South Korea superior to tackle outdated rival China within the quarters.

Guam’s different principal participant Tai Wesley additionally didn’t see motion, leaving the staff with a 10-man crew.

With the loss, Guam wrapped up a marketing campaign that the tiny island earned by means of the ultimate qualification event final March.

READ: Jericho Cruz rests in Guam’s blowout loss to Japan in Fiba Asia Cup

Cruz shrugged off fatigue after profitable the Finals Most Precious Participant for his principal function in San Miguel’s run to the Philippine Cup title to go well with up for Guam as debutant of the continental showcase.

The 34-year-old, who was raised in Saipan by his Filipino mother and father, averaged 16.0 factors on 52-percent taking pictures with 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals.

He had 11 factors, 4 rebounds, two assists and one steal throughout Guam’s 77-52 loss to Iran in Group B earlier than serving to Guam safe an 82-73 victory over Syria to nearly clinch a qualification sport berth.

Cruz delivered 21 factors together with three triples late that sealed that historic victory for Guam. He was in motion final Sunday when Guam was thrashed by Japan, 102-63.