Chris Ross is still dishing out playoff masterpieces even at 41.
The 12-time PBA champion was at it again on Friday, delivering 20 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, and 5 steals in an absolute masterclass. Thanks in part to Ross’ brilliance, mostly in the second half, the San Miguel Beermen staved off elimination once more with a 108-102 victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal showdown.
‘Disrespect’ Fuels Chris Ross
After Game 4, Chris Ross bared he felt disrespected by San Miguel legend Olsen Racela, with whom he exchanged words just as the two teams were retreating to the dugout for the halftime break.
“As a 17-year veteran, there’s a lot of disrespect that I get,” he admitted in the postgame presser. “It just fueled me to play that much harder. I feel like I get a lot of disrespect from certain people, people that don’t know me, people that never talked to me and had a conversation with me off the court. I just think it’s very disrespectful. I just focused on putting that energy towards my team and my family.”
Later, in an exclusive interview with Rebanse, Ross said he and Racela just had an exchange of opinions but maintained “there’s just a little too much disrespect.”
That disrespect got Ross and the Beermen going in Game 4. And now Game 5 beckons for Ginebra and San Miguel.
Fueled Sufficiently as Is
While the feeling of disrespect may have fueled him in Game 4, Chris Ross said he is sufficiently fueled as it is thanks to hard work and a little extra boost from a little bundle of joy.
“I work really hard… I put a lot of time in the gym, working on my body, working on my skills,” he pointed out. “As long as I’m healthy, that’s what I was doing the whole eliminations. Just staying in the weight room… lifting a lot of weights so I can be prepared for the playoffs. I know that my team needs me in the playoffs. I still have a lot of game left. My body feels really good.”
It turns out a new addition to the Ross family is fueling the two-time PBA Finals MVP as well—and giving him plenty to play for even at the ripe old age of 41.
“I just had a new baby, so she gives me a lot of fuel,” Ross shared with reporters. “It’s different when you have kids of your own and you’re actually playing for something, not just your teammates and your coaches. There’s mouths to feed at home.”
On Tuesday, November 10, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Chris Ross will again be playing—for the Beermen, for his family, and maybe even for respect.
That’s all the fuel he needs.
