Art Dela Cruz still transitioning from winning in San Beda to new scene in Blackwater

MANILA, Philippines – During his 4-year college career with San Beda in the NCAA, Art Dela Cruz’s Red Lions lost only 20 games. Since joining the Blackwater Elite this PBA as the team’s 9th pick in the first round of the 2015 draft, the 23-year-old has already suffered 13 defeats in 19 games.

Dela Cruz, who was a triple-double threat while playing for San Beda, has brought his all-around game to the pros as well. Entering the Elite’s game against Phoenix on Wednesday, March 30, he was averaging 11.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.6 steals a game this season. Against the Fuel Masters, he tied his career-high of 21 points to go with 5 assists, 4 boards, and 4 steals.

But the result of the game was similar to what Dela Cruz has become accustomed to since he entered the pro league: another defeat.

“Actually kailangan mo lang i-accept yung reason na dito ka dinala eh. Dito ka dinala ni God,” he told Rappler when asked if transitioning from being a team who constantly won to playing for a team who’s consistently losing is difficult.

(Actually you just have to accept the reason why you were put here. This is where God put you.)

“I know naman na may reason kung bakit ako nandito. Just acceptance lang na hindi naman buong buhay mo na hindi ka nananalo eh,” he said.

(I know there’s a reason why I’m here. I’m just accepting that I won’t always not win in my career.)

In the 4 years Dela Cruz wore a Red Lions uniform, he celebrated a championship 3 times, and came close to winning a fourth one against the Letran Knights last season. Dela Cruz even won Finals MVP in 2013.

Blackwater has some nice young pieces on its roster like Dela Cruz and Carlo Lastimosa, but the franchise still looks far away from becoming a legitimate PBA title contender. Since entering the league as an expansion team in 2014, the Elite has made the playoffs just once in 4 conferences, and only as the number 10 seed which lost right away to Rain or Shine.

Dela Cruz admits he misses the atmosphere of a winning locker room, though he accepts the situation he’s currently in nonetheless.

“Oo naman, lalo na yung dug out. Na fe-feel mo yung saya, chemistry also… Pero ganon talaga. Hindi naman lagi nanalo.”

(Of course, especially the dug-out feeling. You feel the happiness and chemistry… But that’s how it is. You won’t always win.)

But even with the scarcity of victories, Blackwater does have team chemistry, the rookie says. And he believes that’s played a major factor in why he’s been able to transition to the PBA from the NCAA quickly.

“Malaking bagay yung chemistry nung teammates ko saakin and lalo na pumunta si Kyle [Pascual] (former San Beda teammate) sa team namin. Lalong naging at home ako. At binibigay akong confidence ni coach,” he said.

(Our team chemistry is a huge aspect and when Kyle came to our team. I felt more at home. And coach gives me confidence.)

“Mahalagang mahalaga yun kasi hindi basta-basta yung opportunity na binibigay ni coach saakin. As a player, nakaka bigay nang kumpyansa.”

(That’s really important because you shouldn’t treat the opportunity coach gives you lightly. As a player, it gives me confidence.) – Rappler.com