[en] The yrast band in the heavy N = Z nucleus ${}^{88}$Ru is studied in the framework of the α-cluster model in combination with double-folding potentials. It is found that the excitation energies of the yrast band in ${}^{88}$Ru can be nicely described within the α-cluster approach using a smooth and mildly L-dependent adjustment of the potential strength. This result is similar to well-established α-cluster states in nuclei with a (magic core ⊗α) structure. Contrary, the yrast bands in neighboring N ≠ Z nuclei deviate from such a typical α-cluster behavior. Finally, the α-cluster model predicts reduced transition strengths of about 10 Weisskopf units for intraband transitions between low-lying states in the yrast band of ${}^{88}$Ru.