MANILA, Philippines – Carl Bryan Cruz will be joining Chooks-to-Go in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup this September 22 to 30 in Chenzhou, China. 

Cruz confirmed that he has been released by the Alaska Aces, who are currently participating in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup. 

“As far as I know ‘yung usapan namin ni Boss Dickie, ‘yung team manager namin, na considered na ako,” said Cruz. 

(As far as I know, what we talked about with Boss Dickie, our team manager, I’m already cleared.)

However, Cruz will still be participating in the Aces’ last game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Wednesday, September 20. He will follow the rest of the Chooks-to-Go team on Thursday, September 21. 

“Usapan namin is ‘yung teammates ko rito sa [Chooks-to-Go], aalis sila ng Wednesday, tapos ako on Thursday with Austin and Coach Chot.”

(What we talked about was that my teammates here in [Chooks-to-Go], they will leave on Wednesday then I’ll leave on Thursday with Austin and Coach Chot.)

The Alaska Aces forward faced a hectic past two months as he participated in the Jones Cup, 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, and 29th Southeast Asian Games. To top his continuous international stints, he has been training thrice a day for the past week in preparation for the upcoming FIBA Asia Champions Cup and PBA matches with the Alaska Aces. 

Despite the fatigue, Cruz still recognizes his upcoming international competition as an opportunity to be of service to the country. 

“Hangga’t may opportunity, laban lang ng laban. Kasi sayang naman ang mga ganitong opportunity.”

(Until the opportunity is there, just keep fighting, because we can’t pass up these opportunities.)

With SEA Games teammates Kiefer Ravena and Raymar Jose, Cruz will be taking the role of leading the young delegation in their upcoming competition. 

“Nag-usap kami kanina nina Kiefer at Raymar, sabi kami na lang ang mga natirang Cadets na galing sa Malaysia, so kumbaga iba na ang role namin dito. Kailangan namin i-guide ang mga baguhan sa amin at maging role model sa kanila,” said Cruz.

(I talked to Kiefer and Raymar a while ago and we said that we are the only Cadets left from Malaysia, so our role is different here. We have to guide the newbies here and become role models to them.)

The complete roster of the 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup delegation of Chooks-to-Go will be revealed on Tuesday, September 19. – Rappler.com