Carl Cruz never heard his name uttered by head coach Chot Reyes during the announcement of the 12-man SEABA Championship lineup last Friday. For Reyes, though, the Gilas Cadet was among the tough cuts he’d had to make.
“If I had to choose 15, Kevin Ferrer, Carl Bryan Cruz, and Mike Tolomia would definitely be there,” shared the 53-year-old tactician.
“So that should give you an idea how hard it was for us to make a decision.”
But four days after the event, the six-foot-five rookie was at the team’s practice at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City. He was not just in attendance — he was there in full gear, about to take part in all the drills alongside the SEABA 12.
“Sayang yung chance na makasama sa Final 12. Pero as a player, masarap pa rin makasama sa practice,” shared the 25-year-old forward out of Far Eastern University, shortly after the Nationals’ session.
“Para ma-improve ko pa yung sarili ko at matulungan yung teammates ko, tsaka para rin sa bayan.”
The Cadets can actually come over to practices if they want to. But Cruz’s case is different — he was requested by Reyes from his mother team, the Alaska Aces, to be part of the SEABA 12’s practice sessions, which the Aces said yes.
“Nakausap ko si coach Alex (Compton) eh, sabi nya sa akin kahit mag-full time muna ako rito. Magfocus muna ako, tulungan ko muna yung team. Okay lang naman daw sa Alaska,” said Cruz, who has norms of 7.0 markers and 4.0 boards this Commissioner’s Cup.
With the way things are going in Gilas, especially with the Andray Blatche saga, Cruz might not just be there helping the team as a practice player — he might even make it to the team, if ever Blatche will be replaced and Gilas will go all-Filipino in the regional tourney.
“As a player, siyempre it’s a good sign for me. Advantage para sakin at pabor sakin. Pero if you look on the other side, mas maganda na makalaro pa rin si Andray sa Gilas,” Cruz said, when asked about the idea of him having that chance, just in case.
“He is a big factor sa team, malaki ang impact niya,” the three-time UAAP silver medalist added.
The clouds of uncertainty that revolve around the future of the naturalized Filipino Blatche with Gilas are indeed puzzling. But for the young pro, he promises to get ready with whatever might unfurl days from now.
“Whatever happens, I’m ready,” assured Cruz.
