Carl Cruz defends self after tune-up brawl with Don Trollano

Even the coolest of players can lose their composure when provoked. Just ask Carl Bryan Cruz.

The incoming Alaska Aces sophomore figured in a heated fistfight with Don Trollano during SMART Gilas Pilipinas’ tune-up game with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Thursday afternoon at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.

SMART Gilas managed to come out victorious in impressive fashion, 96-75, but their brawl nearly caused the exhibition to be called off.

The exchange of blows took place with 5:44 left in the second frame, with Gilas ahead comfortably, 45-28. It all started when Cruz and RoS forward Dexter Maiquez scrambled inside the paint, clearly fighting for the rebound.

Veteran Beau Belga made the bucket to punch the said scoreline. Cruz and Maiquez were still battling for position, and due to the physicality of their actions, the latter fell down to the floor hard.

Then Trollano entered the scene. Apparently he didn’t like what he saw, since he charged towards Cruz and started to throw punches. Cruz retaliated, and a brawl then ensued that left everyone in the venue shocked.

“Si Maiquez, alam ko naman na physical player talaga, D-League pa lang, nakakalaban ko na, so expected ko na yun. Pero normal lang sa amin yun. Pero biglang pumasok sa loob si Trollano eh, susuntukin ako,” narrated Cruz.

“So yun, hindi na napigilan, sumugod na rin ako,” continued the 25-year-old stretch forward.

“Alam naman natin na physical game talaga ‘to, lalo na Rain or Shine, so hindi mo maiwasan yung mga ganung pisikalan.”

The brawl was definitely an ugly sight to see, as it led to the ejection of both players — even Calvin Abueva was thrown out after throwing an apparent flying kick in defense of Cruz, though luckily he did not hit anyone.

But the Far Eastern University product saw a silver lining in the fracas. For him, he felt a sense of brotherhood with his teammates, as they all came to his aid as soon as the tussle erupted.

“Nararamdaman ko na yung mga teammate ko, suportado sila sa akin kahit anong mangyari, lalo na si Calvin, nadamay pa sa akin,” he said.

“Nakakataba ng puso kasi alam kong nasa likod ko lang sila ‘pag may trouble.”

But the soft-spoken Cruz was apologetic afterwards, vowing to coach Chot Reyes that he will never let this kind of incident arise again in the near future. “Nag-sorry naman ako kay coach Chot, sabi ko it will not happen again.

“Tinanggap niya naman.”