By REYNALD MAGALLON
Chris Ross is long known as a player who thrived under pressure and when the stakes are higher.
That’s how he earned his nicknames like ‘playoff Ross’ and ‘Finals Ross’ for a string of impressive performances that helped San Miguel win championships one after another.
Now one of the elder statesman on the team, and at 40-years-old, he continued to prove that worth as he provided SMB immediate impact when he was on the floor.
“The coaches have been calling my number in the fourth quarter the last three games, and I just want to go out there and make plays for my team,” said Ross who was all over the floor in SMB’s 98-92 win over TNT.
His stamp was all over the floor with seven points, seven assists, four rebounds and four steals – while also pulling off the crucial stops that fueled the fourth quarter breakaway for the Beermen.
And he has been doing that in the last three games for SMB – including a 19-point, seven-rebound and four-steal performance in the Game 7 against Ginebra. The Beermen might have also narrowly lost Game 1, 99-96, but the 40-year-old playmaker was the catalyst of that 19-0 run they unloaded to erase a once 24-point deficit.
“That’s what I’ve been doing my whole career, whatever it takes for my team to win, I try to do it,” said Ross who was a menace on the defensive end while also orchestrating the offense of the Beermen
“Whether it’s making the hot guys make a big three, or whatever it is. Getting the ball to the right people, I try to do the same thing,” he added.
SMB head coach Leo Austria also acknowledged the impact Ross has been giving the team although he was the least surprised of what his veteran guard can provide.
That’s his game. But his impact is his leadership. He knows what to do. This is the championship and I know him. Even if he doesn’t score, it doesn’t matter to him, as long as he takes care of his teammates inside,” said Austria.
“And that’s what happened. What more if he scores? And I’m so happy for him because he showed his worth.”
From not even playing in a crucial Game 6 in the semis to getting the nod to start in the Game 2 win in the Finals, Ross knows full well that he has to deliver when his number is called.
“If I’m not doing something, I shouldn’t be out there on the court. I was kinda begging them to play me during the season, so I gotta make plays. Sometimes you don’t make plays, sometimes you do. I did and we were able to win,” said Ross, who played 32 minutes as a starter.
