San Miguel Beermen’s Chris Ross during Game 7 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals vs Barangay Ginebra Gin KIngs. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Despite not seeing action in Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, Chris Ross carried a surplus of motivation heading into the pivotal Game 7 against Barangay Ginebra.
In what was the Beermen’s most important game of the conference so far, Ross saved his best for last in the seven-game series that saw the Gin Kings get the boot.
HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Game 7 – Ginebra vs San Miguel
Instead of sulking over his benching in Game 6, Ross said he was “inspired” by what he witnessed in the closing moments of Sunday’s thriller.
“I’m a competitor. Not playing in the last game, it hurt my feelings. And then seeing LA [Tenorio] do what he did, it was super inspiring to me,” said Ross after their 100-93 win over Ginebra.
“Coach [Leo Austria] and I had a talk yesterday. I told him I’m a winner. I just want to win by any means. I don’t care how it gets done. I step up to the plate. I told him no one competes harder than me. No one plays harder than me.”
San Miguel Beermen’s Chris Ross during Game 7 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals vs Barangay Ginebra Gin KIngs. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Just three days earlier, Ross watched helplessly as Tenorio hit a game-winning triple that forced a Game 7.
This time, the two-time Finals MVP made sure to take matters into his own hands, finishing with 19 points, seven assists, four steals, and three rebounds in 28 productive minutes.
And it wasn’t just Tenorio who fueled him.
A motivated Chris Ross talks about his big outing in Game 7 of the semifinals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/uys8RjuKow
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) July 9, 2025
“It comes from this little guy right here,” Ross said, pointing to his child during the postgame press conference.
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“The want to win, I had it. I’ve always had it. But since he’s come into my life, it’s multiplied that much more. I’m just thankful I was given the opportunity to showcase what I could do because I’ve done it plenty of times.”
Ross and the Beermen begin their best-of-seven Finals showdown against TNT on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum.