San Miguel Beermen guard Chris Ross in the course of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals press conference with TNT Tropang 5G. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Chris Ross could also be considered one of the PBA’s more amiable figures, however the San Miguel Beer veteran knows there’s no room for friendliness with a championship on the road.
Within the Beermen’s Game 7 win over Barangay Ginebra within the semifinals, Ross said he drew inspiration from LA Tenorio’s Game 6 heroics–but made it clear he’s all business heading into the Finals.
SCHEDULE: PBA Philippine Cup Finals – San Miguel vs TNT
“For me, each time I play someone on the court, it’s all business. I put friendships or whatever to the side,” said Ross in the course of the presser before the PBA Finals in Pasig on Friday.
“Especially now after they’re [also] gunning for a championship, there’s no time to be friendly with anyone.”
Ross brought that take-no-prisoners mentality last Wednesday night when he powered San Miguel back to the Finals after a 100-93 win over Barangay Ginebra at Araneta Coliseum.
READ: PBA: Chris Ross, fired up by benching, turns back clock in Game 7
The 2-time Finals MVP channeled “Playoff Ross,” ending with 19 points, seven assists, 4 steals and three rebounds.
The 40-year-old floor general knows he must dig deep again within the best-of-seven title series–this time opposite a well-known face in former teammate Simon Enciso.
Enciso, who was waived by San Miguel and later picked up by TNT before the conference, also finds himself back on the Finals stage, only now on the opposite side of the court.
“We just go on the market and compete, guard and play whoever’s in front of us. I don’t really see it as I’m playing a friend,” said Ross.
“I see it as I’m playing an opponent. We’re each gunning for a similar thing. I’m sure they’ll put their best foot forward and we’ll do the identical to attempt to win the championship.”
Ross and the Beermen tackle Enciso and TNT in Game 1 of the Finals this Sunday on the Big Dome in Araneta, Cubao.