Ross still SMB’s big ace vs Alaska

MANILA, Philippines - Hard work finally paid off for San Miguel Beer Fil-Am guard Chris Ross, who clinched his first Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week award after churning out a double-double performance against archrival Alaska last week.

The six-foot playmaker was in his elements last Friday, finishing with all-around numbers of 14 points, 12 assists and six rebounds as the Beermen pounded the Aces, 116-96, in a rematch of teams which disputed the Philippine Cup crown in a classic best-of-seven last January.

The Beermen played without injured reigning two-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo but that hardly mattered as the team rode on their 17 three-point shots.

But while Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter and import Tyler Wilkerson all have their share from beyond the arc, it was Ross who made the biggest impact with his superb all-around game.

“I put in so much hard work everyday, after practice with Marcio,” said Ross, also named the Finals MVP of the all-Filipino conference championship series.

“Coach (Leo Austria) has a lot of trust in me because he’s leaving me out there for a lot of minutes,” said Ross.

Given the loaded talent of the Beermen, Ross said his job as a point guard became a lot easier.

“I feel like I have the easiest job in the PBA because I have so many weapons and we were clicking on all cylinders (against Alaska),” he added.

The 31-year-old Ross beat teammate Alex Cabagnot, Barangay Ginebra’s Greg Slaughter and LA Tenorio, Star forward Allein Maliksi, Meralco rookie Baser Amer and Rain or Shine shooter Jeff Chan for the weekly citation.

San Miguel, meanwhile, swings back to action on Easter Sunday when the Beermen clash with sister team and streaking Star Hotshots at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.