PBA technical director Ramil Cruz passes away

PBA technical director Ramil Cruz. PBA IMAGES

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines — PBA technical director Ramil Cruz passed away on Sunday morning. He was 48.

In a statement released by the PBA, Cruz was found dead in his sleep in his hotel room in Palawan at 6:30 a.m.

“It is with a deep sense of loss and sadness that we inform the members of Philippine Basketball Community, our players and coaches and the fans that we have lost our Technical Director Ramil Cruz today,” the statement read.

“Initial examination conducted by the medical rescue team indicate that Ramil suffered from a heart attack.”

Cruz is part of the PBA delegation in Palawan for the annual All-Star Weekend,  which is in its final day of festivities culminating with the All-Star Game at 5 p.m. at the  Puerto Princesa Coliseum.

He was also a former player of the University of the Philippines basketball team which won the UAAP championship in 1986 and was part of the Fighting Maroons coaching staff.

“We condole with Monette and his children, our thoughts and prayers go out to them,” outgoing league commissioner Chito Salud.