March 22, 2017
That was the last time Carl Cruz scored in double figures for the Alaska Aces. Still a rookie back then, the six-foot-four forward had 15 points on 60 percent shooting to help his team to a 109-95 victory over the Blackwater Elite.
After that, Cruz seemingly lost his place in coach Alex Compton’s rotation.
The 26-year-old, who rode the bench most of the time last season, became a riddle to many, considering that he has made a solid mark with Gilas Pilipinas teams that have competed abroad, highlighted by a gold medal run in the 2017 SEA Games.
But thankfully for the Far Eastern University product, in the early goings of his sophomore season, he has been gracing the court for periods of time. And on Sunday night, Cruz finally had his best game after a long while.
In Alaska’s 102-65 destruction of the struggling Kia Picanto, Cruz made his presence felt with 16 points on 60 percent shooting — highlighted by a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc — and nine rebounds in nearly 18 minutes.
“Namimiss ko yung ganitong situation,” said Cruz, who was averaging just 2.67 points prior to Sunday evening. “Maraming struggles na ‘kong napagdaanan, and nagpapasalamat lang ako kasi yung pasensya na binigay sakin ng coaching staff, super haba. Finally nagkaroon ako ng breakout game.
“Nagpapasalamat lang ako kay Lord.”
But more than his own outing, the Novaliches-born cager was even more satisfied with what the Aces have been doing as a whole. After opening the 2018 Philippine Cup with two straight losses, they have now won two straight.
“Nag-step up na lahat,” he expressed. “Kasi yung una naming mga laban, solid yun eh. Kumbaga nabigla kami. Pero ngayon nakapag-adjust na kami, naibalik na namin yung sistema na gusto namin ilaro, especially sa depensa namin.
“So yun, fruit of our hard work lang.”
But the Aces will be put to the test this Sunday, as they will face the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, who are looking to vent ire on them after having lost to the Blackwater Elite. Cruz, however, feels that he and Alaska are prepared for that rivalry bout.
“Yung Ginebra tinambakan ng Blackwater, so malamang gigil yan bumawi. Magandang preparation ‘to para sa’min (last two games) na walang magrerelax going towards our game against Ginebra,” stressed the Gilas cadet.
“Bigay lang namin best namin.”
