Blackwater’s 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup meeting with the NorthPort Batang Pier on Saturday was Carl Cruz’ third game with the Elite, and he already showed what he can bring to the table for his new team.
Utilized for over 27 minutes, the 6-foot-4 stretch forward produced 16 points — including 11 in the fourth alone — on 40-percent shooting from the field. He also had five rebounds and a block.
Cruz was a big factor in the Elite’s victory over the Batang Pier, 107-98, for their first win.
“We know [kung] ano maibibigay ni CBC sa team — yung defense niya, yung hustle niya, and yung outside scoring, and from time to time pulut-pulot,” said Blackwater head coach Aris Dimaunahan.
For the third-year pro — whom the Elite acquired last month from Alaska in exchange for Abu Tratter — he attributed his solid performance to his understanding of Dimaunahan’s system.
“Well, yung sistema naman ni coach Aris, hindi naman mahirap. Free-willing naman,” expressed Cruz. “‘Pag open ka tira mo, basta galing sa play. So madaling maka-cope up.
“Tsaka, nakapag-adjust na rin naman lahat ng mga teammate ko. Alam na namin yung mga dapat gawin, so ayun.”
While he may have impressed, the FEU alum is happier with how the Elite as a whole have improved from their previous two outings, which they both lost.
“Feeling ko talaga nag-adjust kami sa ball sharing, number one yun. Tsaka yun, depensa namin,” he opined.
“Kasi ang Blackwater, talagang sobrang talented na team, puro bata pa. So kumbaga sistema na lang magdadala sa’min tsaka depensa. So luckily, tonight, naipakita namin ng maayos.”
