MANILA – Veteran San Miguel point guard Chris Ross had good words for TNT Tropang 5G import Bol Bol, even after they had a heated exchange during the game on Saturday.
In the third quarter of the much-anticipated rematch of the PBA All-Filipino Cup finals, Ross and Bol figured in a word war during a head coach's challenge on a foul.
"He said we were down 20. I said I don't care. That was it, it was just a little fun. It's a long talk, it wasn't much. That was it," the San Miguel veteran told reporters after the game.
READ: Bol Bol powers TNT to 26-point victory over San Miguel
Despite the incident, Ross shrugged off the exchange and was shocked with the warning he got from league officials.
"It's always part of the game. We shook hands after the game, he smiled. It is what it is. It's talk. I'm not gonna fight. I don't hate him, he doesn't hate me. It's just playing basketball and having conversation," he said.
Ross said having a former NBA player like Bol is good for the league, echoing the sentiment of his teammate June Mar Fajardo.
"I just told him to stay healthy and keep enjoying himself, having fun. He's good for our league. Having someone of his stature and his profile, it's really good for the league," he said.
"He's a player. He's tall, he can do everything on the court. He seems like a good guy. So it's hard to tell when you're not playing, I can only say what I can see on the sidelines... He just makes the game a lot more fun," Ross added.
READ: June Mar Fajardo says Bol Bol's presence 'good for the league'
For his part, the former Phoenix Suns big man downplayed the exchange with Ross.
"It's just all talk, it’s part of the game. Nothing serious," Bol shared.
UPDATE ON ROSS' INJURY
Ross has yet to suit up for the Beermen in the PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup, as he continues to recover from his Achilles injury.
The San Miguel veteran got injured during their All-Filipino Cup championship run.
"I just got it [the boot] off yesterday so I'm gonna start my treatments and getting my wind back. In the next couple weeks we'll know more. We'll see how it reacts to working and how I'm playing. We'll see in the next week or two," Ross said.
The 12-time PBA champion said there's no set timeline for his return to the court.
"Just when it's healthy or when I don't feel any pain. It's an Achilles so you kinda want to take care of it, make sure it's close to 100% as possible. Whenever I feel healthy, I'll be back," Ross shared.
While he can't see action just yet, Ross will remain vocal and supportive of San Miguel even when he's on the bench.