Guam’s Jericho Cruz at the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. –FIBA BOOTBALL
MANILA, Philippines – Jericho Cruz helped Guam qualify for the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifier as they let Thailand lose their first match in the qualifying round, 75-69, on Friday at the UG Arena in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Cruz brought Guam’s attack with 13 points, including a finish in the last seconds to help his team go unbeaten in 3 matches, becoming the 5th team to reach the Asian Cup Qualifiers after Palestine, Iraq, Qatar and UAE from Group E.
The Filipino keeper made an assist for Tai Wesley to break a 69-all draw with 52 seconds of play before knocking out a floater to give Guam a 73-69 lead in seven seconds. Final.
Jonathan Galloway led Guam with a brace of 22 points and 19 rebounds. Wesley finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Earnest Ross Jr. added 16 points from 5 rebounds and 4 steals, while Cruz also had 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal
Cruz and Guam wrapped up the campaign in the second round against Malaysia on Saturday and hosts Mongolia on Sunday.
Freddie Lish picked up 29 points from seven top rebounds but to no avail as Thailand lost their first match in qualifying after winning all four games in the first round last November.
Tyler Lamb’s Fiba comeback was also marred even though he scored 18 points and six rebounds.
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