Amateur career
Philippine Basketball League
Cruz first played in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) for the Welcoat House Paints in 2000. He played a key role in the backcourt of Welcoat, helping them win the 2000 Chairman's Cup. [11] He turned down the opportunity to be drafted into the PBA for another conference with Welcoat, with the chance to help Welcoat capture its fourth straight title. [12] [13] However, in the 2000–01 Challenge Cup, they lost in the finals to Shark Energy Drink. [14] They got their revenge on Shark Energy during the Alaxan-Chairman's Cup, sweeping them 4–0 in the finals. [15] Shark Energy then beat Welcoat in the 2001–02 Alaxan-Challenge Cup, 4–1. [16]
Cruz then switched PBL teams, joining the Hapee-Nenaco-Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles beginning in the 2002 Chairman's Cup. [17] They were able to win the title that conference 3–1, as he made two game-sealing free throws in Game 4 of the finals. [18] He then had a stint with the John O team. [19]
Professional career
Red Bull Barako (2005–2008)
With Shell leaving the PBA, Cruz and his Shell teammates were placed into a dispersal draft. [23] He was drafted second overall in that draft by the Red Bull Barako, who acquired their pick from the Sta. Lucia Realtors. [24] That season, Red Bull became known for their physical style of play, which led to their success. [25] This also led to them getting into fights, such as when he hit an Alaska Aces player, for which he was fined ₱20,000. [26] In Game 7 of the semifinals, he had five points in the clutch, as well as a block and rebound that brought Red Bull into the finals over Barangay Ginebra. [27] Red Bull went on to win the finals over the Purefoods Chunkee Giants. They also made it to the 2006 PBA Philippine Cup finals in a rematch against Purefoods, but this time Purefoods won the series in six games. [25]
During the 2007–08 Philippine Cup, Cruz scored 15 of his career-high 20 points in the third quarter during their win over the Air21 Express. He had more minutes in this game as Red Bull had just traded away several of its players. [28] Later on during the conference, he and Cyrus Baguio both contracted chickenpox causing them to miss several games. [29] He came back in time to contribute in Red Bull's semifinals series against Purefoods. [30]
Air21 Express / Burger King Titans (2008–2009)
On December 27, 2008, Cruz and Baguio were traded to the Air21 Express in exchange for two of Air21's draft picks. [31]
For the 2009 Fiesta Conference, the team became known as the Burger King Titans. They brought in head coach Yeng Guiao, who had coached Cruz before with Barako. [32] In a win over Ginebra, he made a clutch three-pointer that sealed the win. [33]
Barangay Ginebra (2009–2010)
On August 3, 2009, Barangay Ginebra traded Paul Artadi, Rafi Reavis, and the rights to 2009 eighth overall pick Chris Timberlake for Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez, Cruz, and Paolo Bugia of Purefoods. Burger King acted as the conduit team, trading Pocholo Villanueva to Ginebra and acquiring the rights to 2009 18th overall pick Orlando Daroya and two future draft picks. [35] In a game against Talk 'N Text, he fractured his left hand, and could not play the rest of the game. [36]
Return to Barako (2012–2013)
On April 20, 2012, Cruz and Lassiter were traded to the Petron Blaze Boosters for Rey Guevarra, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, and Lordy Tugade. [41] A few days later, on May 1, 2012, he and Carlo Sharma were traded back to Barako for Dorian Peña. [42] This would be the seventh team of his career. [43] In a win over Ginebra during the 2012–13 Philippine Cup, he scored eight of his 10 points in the third quarter. [44] However, during the conference, he fractured his thumb when he fell from a folding chair trying to fix a ceiling light in his home. Before the start of the next conference, the Commissioner's Cup, he fractured it again when his thumb got caught in Meralco Bolts rookie Cliff Hodge's playing shorts during a practice game. [45] Before the start of the 2013–14 season, he was cut from the team. [46]
Personal life
Cruz is married to Maymay Pascual. They have a daughter, Claire, and a son, Andres. [20] [51] After retiring, Cruz became one of the assistant coaches of the FEU Baby Tamaraws. [52] He didn't last long in the role as some time later he and his family moved to the US. They are currently based in Sacramento. [20]
In 2006, Cruz was given the "Gintong Kabataang Propesyonal" award by the provincial government of Bulacan. [53]
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