Days after PBA Draft, Dela Cruz shines for San Beda

Art Dela Cruz shines again for San Beda days after getting picked in the first round of the PBA Draft. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Two days after being selected by Blackwater in the 2015 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft, Art Dela Cruz showed why he deserved to be a first round pick by going off at the expense of EAC in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament.

The 23-year-old recorded his career-high of 30 points, alongside 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals in San Beda’s 96-84 victory over EAC on Tuesday.

But for the 6-foot-3 forward, it was just him stepping up to the plate for the injury-plagued Red Lions.

READ: NCAA: San Beda starts 2nd round with rout of EAC

“Wala sila Baser (Amer) at Ola (Adeogun) kaya kailangan ko mag-step up offensively (Baser and Ola is nor here so I need to step up offensively.),” he said. “I have to improve more on defense, at the same time, we need to sustain our offense.”

Though he’s already an incoming rookie in the pros, Dela Cruz reiterated that his focus is still to win a championship with San Beda.

“Talagang wala na akong iniisip kundi NCAA. Ang dami kong position na nilalaruan. Ayaw ko man pero kailangan ko kasi marami kaming kulang,” he said. “Di kami dapat makuntento sa second. We need to give more para ma-achieve namin yung goal namin na 1 or 2, pero gusto talaga namin maging 1.”

(I don’t think about anything other than the NCAA right now. I’ve been playing a number of positions. I don’t like it, but I have to because we’re depleted, we can’t be contented at second. We need to give more to achieve our goal to be 1 or 2, but we want to be number 1.)

READ: Huge role waiting for no. 9 pick Dela Cruz at Blackwater

Not lost in him, though, is his upcoming PBA career, as he believes his great play in the NCAA could also be sustained in the long run.

“My game is also in preparation for the PBA. I want my stocks to get higher. I trust the Blackwater coaching staff that they can put me at a great position,” dela Cruz said.

He also shrugged off the notion of him being unhappy after being selected by a cellar-dweller like Blackwater, saying, “I just need to face it. I’m looking forward to playing with them.”

“As my dad said, I still need to show that I’m deserving for my playing time and role for the team. I just have to show what kind of player I really am.” CFC