PBA's top defense trooper Ross bracing for arrival of tougher competition

MANILA, Philippines — Chris Ross has won two defensive player awards, and he is perfectly aware about what a third one would ask of him. Oh, and the hurdles that come with it, too.

“I’m going to do my best — like I said, prepare. There’s a lot of talent that’s getting better and a lot of incoming guys that I have to do some research on,” the San Miguel Beer guard shared with reporters shortly after receiving his second straight Defensive Player of the Year in the 2017 PBA Press Corps annual awards on Thursday night.

“[There’s] a lot, man,” he said of the influx of rookie talent in the 43rd PBA season. “Obviously, Kiefer (Ravena) is up there … It’s going to be a lot tougher chasing those guys around but I’m up for the challenge.”

“I’m working on my body a lot. I’m really up for the challenge,” he assured.

For Ross, the award is a validation of the unseen work he puts in. He added that it all makes the toil worthwhile.

“It makes me feel good because I put a lot of work in to being able to go out there and compete defensively,” he said. “I do a lot of stuff behind the scenes that not lot of people do not see — as far as watching film on these guys. It’s a long process but I go into the matchups well prepared.”

“It’s a blessing that some of my hard work’s been recognized (sic),” added the Filipino-American cager.

Ross actually needs no vouching for his own defensive mettle. He has been named thrice into the league’s Defensive Team, feted as the previous season’s Most Improve Player while also snaring the Best Player citation of the Commissioner’s Cup.

But all of that are just results of hard work — which is hinge on the team’s vision, he noted.

“Once you win games … then the individual awards come. So [it’s] definitely a team effort,” Ross noted.

Ross and the Beermen, who won two of the three titles in the previous season, will again shoot for a fabled Grand Slam when the All-Filipino Cup begins this December 17.