No regrets for De La Cruz despite heartbreaking end to NCAA journey

Art Dela Cruz sings alma mater hymn as a player for the last time. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

It was the season Art De La Cruz experienced the definition of “almost.”

He was the second-best player of the season as Mapua center Allwell Oraeme went home with the MVP plum.

In the NCAA Finals, his San Beda settled for the second best for the first time in six years as Letran came away with the championship

“For me it’s a meaningless life,” a dejected De La Cruz said after their Game 3 85-82 loss. “But I have to move on, it’s my last year, everything has an end.”

De La Cruz, who recovered from a dismal Game 1 showing, had 15 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists but it wasn’t enough to power the Red Lions against the Knights.

Set to make his debut in the pros now that the NCAA season is over, Dela Cruz knows he needs to be move on, but he’s doing it with a heavy heart.

“I have to accept I will leave college and move on,” De La Cruz said as he leaves San Beda with three NCAA titles. “I don’t have any regrets. It was a great journey, the ending was just not that beautiful.”