It took seven weeks but now San Beda College Red Lion’ co-captain and Most Valuable Player contender Art Dela Cruz is bestowed with the ACCEL Quantum/3XVI-NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week honors.
During the Under Armour X Slam Philippines Draft Suite, Dela Cruz confided with Tiebreaker Times that there would be nothing sweeter than capping his collegiate career with a historic six straight NCAA championship. Moreover, he might actually end his amateur career with the MVP plum as well as he is currently in the top two in the MVP ladder.
In a spectacular week, the Blackwater Elite draft pick averaged 23.5 points, ten rebounds, and six assists in rousing wins over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 96-84, and the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, 89-63. The back-to-back stellar statlines of Dela Cruz gave him the POW crown.
“My goal is, of course, to give the school another championship before I leave them,” said Dela Cruz, who was drafted seventh overall by Blackwater in this year’s PBA rookie draft. “If I will be given a chance to the win the MVP award, it will be an added blessing,” he added.
Dela Cruz beat out the following players for this week’s honors:
Mark Cruz (Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights)
Week production: 29.5 PPG, 3.5 3FGM
Defeated EAC 86-76, Lost to SSC-R 87-89
Victor Nguidjol (Lyceum of the Philippines University)
Week production: 15 points, 17 rebounds, four blocks
Defeated SSC-R 71-67
