DESPITE the open animosity between them, in the end Chris Ross has nothing but great respect for Terrence Jones.
The San Miguel Beer guard said a great talent like the TnT Katropa import is always a welcome presence in the PBA.
"Having great players like him in the league just helps the PBA out," said the 34-year-old Ross.
Jones and Ross' dislike for each other during the Commissioner's Cup finals added flare and drama to the best-of-seven title series which the Beermen won in six games.
The two were involved in two separate controversial incidents.
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In Game 2, the TnT import got ejected late in the first overtime period after being whistled for a technical foul against Ross for second motion. The Beermen won the game in double overtime, 127-125.
In Game 3, Jones was caught headbutting Ross early in the first period and was called for a flagrant foul penalty 1, an infraction which the league later upgraded to flagrant foul penalty 2 and a corresponding P20,000 fine against the former NBA player. The Katropa emerged victorious in the end, 115-105.
Jones and Ross would be civilized with each other the rest of the finals though, with the San Miguel guard even extending out a hand on a fallen Jones during a stretch in Game 5 won by San Miguel, 99-94.
When everything was finally all over, Ross said he doesn't mind seeing a player of Jones' caliber having another tour of duty in the league.
"I know his goal is to play in the NBA. But I told him if not, high-caliber players like that are always welcome here," said the two-time league Defensive Player of the Year.
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Jones also reciprocated the respect given him by Ross.
"Yeah, he congratulated me," disclosed the San Miguel guard of Jones's action shortly after the Beermen wrapped up the championship series. (RG)
