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Dela Cruz taking advantage of extended minutes with Blackwater
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Though Blackwater is still finding its footing in the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup, the team has been getting huge contributions from its hungry rookies, especially from its first pick in the recent draft, Art dela Cruz.
After a stellar career with San Beda in the collegiate ranks, the 23-year-old admits it needs a lot of adjusting going from a championship team to a struggling one with the Elite.
But Dela Cruz knows the reality in basketball, and vows to just focus on making the team better instead of focusing on the piling losses.
“Mentally, iniisip ko na lang yung individual skill,” he said. “Ayokong isipin na natatalo kasi maaapektuhan yung game mo pag inisip mo na every game talo.”
“(Losing is) part of basketball. I came from a winning tradition, pero di naman parati na buong buhay mo, panalo ka. Individual lang talaga, kung ano ang maitutulong ko sa team, yung kaya ko mabuhat, gagawin ko,” said dela Cruz.
The second-generation PBA baller, though, is getting all the tools he need to adjust to the professional style of play, more so that coach Leo Isaac has been more than willing to give him much playing time.
“I’m getting my rhythm na kasi ang laki ng playing time na ibinibigay sa akin ni coach. Minsan, binibigyan talaga ako ng playing kaya kailangan magbigay ng points, rebounds, the small things,” he said. “Sa PBA, kung sino ang mas masipag. Yun ang mananalo. Kahit di ka ganun kalaki, kung masipag ka. Yun ang nakikita kong advantage sa past three games ko, to be aggressive inside the court and decision making.”
Blackwater maybe at the bottom with a 1-5, but Dela Cruz knows that it’s not because Blackwater can’t compete.
The problem, however, lies with Elite’s composure down the stretch which was evident in their 109-98 defeat to TNT where they were control in the first half before faltering in the last two quarters.
“Yung finishing touches namin, sa last quarter natatalo. First to third, strong lagi, lumalamang pa ng halftime. Mabigat lang yung finishing kasi yung last five, pagod na eh. Hindi namin ma-sustain yung laro, but we’re capable to win,” he said, as he finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in 27 minutes in the defeat.
That’s why dela Cruz is challenging himself, just like what Isaac has been telling him, to perform at the best of his capabilities.
“Laging sinasabi ni coach Leo na kunin ang rhythm at ipakita na ako talaga yung first pick ng team. Kumpyansa lang from coach, especially sa practice, pinapakita ko naman sa loob ng court. Thankful ako kasi kahit rookie ako, mataas na yung average ko at nakukuha ko na yung rhythm,” he said.
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