by Joy Enriquez
He was once labeled as the “King Tamaraw,” also a former Philippine Basketball League, Philippine Basketball Association, and Philippine Team player; now, at the age of 37, Celino Cruz is retired, spending his leisure time with family at home and doing part time as head coach of his own basketball clinic for young aspiring basketball players.
The five foot eight basketball guy was patiently waiting for the interview to begin as he recalls his life as a basketball varsity player. He humbly narrated the story of his life with a joyful smile and a cheerful voice.
Celino Cruz was originally a volleyball player during his high school years; he paid very little attention to basketball back then. According to him, he did not see himself as a basketball player when he was younger. His journey as a team player in the path to basketball industry begins as he steps in Manila as a college student in the Far Eastern University (FEU).
The kind-hearted Celino pushed himself to become an athlete. The only reason why he wanted to enter the world of basketball is because of the scholarship offered by universities to athletes, the only help, he said, he could give his parents regarding his studies.
Before finally landing in FEU, he first tried out in the University of Santo Tomas, but there weren’t any available slots in team A at that time, so the university offered him team B instead. But he didn’t want to settle for team B, so he decided to try out at FEU. FEU placed him in team A with full scholarship, free board and lodging, and monthly allowance.
After three years of playing in the UAAP, he caught the attention of many, including the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), with his skills. Team Welcoat was astonished by the great skill he showcased in basketball that they decided to pick him to play for the team even though he was still in college.
After five years of playing for the FEU, where he became King Tamaraw, he finally moved to the next level of his career, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was taken by the Red Bull team during his rookie year in PBA. He transferred to different teams like Purefoods, Powerade, and Ginebra San Miguel, afterwards. He also became part of the Philippine Team at the peak of his career.
According to Celino, being a basketball player has a lot of benefits. During his college years, he didn’t have to pay for a thing to be able to finish his studies. In fact, the school paid him for representing FEU in the UAAP men’s basketball league. He even earned extra money when he entered PBL. His professors were less strict and gave way whenever there were games that he needed to participate in. The only downside of this, he said, is that they trained and studied everyday, which was very hard and tiring.
When Celino entered PBA, everything was a lot easier. There was less training and more time for his personal life. “Kapag nasa PBA ka na, sobrang dami mo nang oras,” he said in an exclusive interview. Besides having lots of time, he also earned lots of money. After playing in PBA for ten years, he was able to purchase a beautiful house and a nice car. He was also able to help his relatives with financial matters. He was able to do a lot of things because of being an athlete, things he couldn’t have done without the help of his basketball career.
Besides the material things, there are also other benefits that being an athlete has given him. With the skill he possessed and his background, now he is able to share to young boys his talent. He helps young aspiring athletes fulfill their dreams. He also gained respect and a lot of friends. He was also granted a gift that few people experienced, the gift of true love. He met his true love when he was still in college. “She was watching one of our games when I first saw her,” he told the interviewer. Her name is Adelle Pascual; the woman whom he got married to and is the mother of his two kids.
Now, Celino Cruz lives a wonderful life in a nice house with his beautiful wife, Adelle, and his bright kids, Claire and Andres. He is very much contented with his life.
The five foot eight basketball guy was patiently waiting for the interview to begin as he recalls his life as a basketball varsity player. He humbly narrated the story of his life with a joyful smile and a cheerful voice.
Celino Cruz was originally a volleyball player during his high school years; he paid very little attention to basketball back then. According to him, he did not see himself as a basketball player when he was younger. His journey as a team player in the path to basketball industry begins as he steps in Manila as a college student in the Far Eastern University (FEU).
The kind-hearted Celino pushed himself to become an athlete. The only reason why he wanted to enter the world of basketball is because of the scholarship offered by universities to athletes, the only help, he said, he could give his parents regarding his studies.
Before finally landing in FEU, he first tried out in the University of Santo Tomas, but there weren’t any available slots in team A at that time, so the university offered him team B instead. But he didn’t want to settle for team B, so he decided to try out at FEU. FEU placed him in team A with full scholarship, free board and lodging, and monthly allowance.
After three years of playing in the UAAP, he caught the attention of many, including the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), with his skills. Team Welcoat was astonished by the great skill he showcased in basketball that they decided to pick him to play for the team even though he was still in college.
After five years of playing for the FEU, where he became King Tamaraw, he finally moved to the next level of his career, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was taken by the Red Bull team during his rookie year in PBA. He transferred to different teams like Purefoods, Powerade, and Ginebra San Miguel, afterwards. He also became part of the Philippine Team at the peak of his career.
According to Celino, being a basketball player has a lot of benefits. During his college years, he didn’t have to pay for a thing to be able to finish his studies. In fact, the school paid him for representing FEU in the UAAP men’s basketball league. He even earned extra money when he entered PBL. His professors were less strict and gave way whenever there were games that he needed to participate in. The only downside of this, he said, is that they trained and studied everyday, which was very hard and tiring.
When Celino entered PBA, everything was a lot easier. There was less training and more time for his personal life. “Kapag nasa PBA ka na, sobrang dami mo nang oras,” he said in an exclusive interview. Besides having lots of time, he also earned lots of money. After playing in PBA for ten years, he was able to purchase a beautiful house and a nice car. He was also able to help his relatives with financial matters. He was able to do a lot of things because of being an athlete, things he couldn’t have done without the help of his basketball career.
Besides the material things, there are also other benefits that being an athlete has given him. With the skill he possessed and his background, now he is able to share to young boys his talent. He helps young aspiring athletes fulfill their dreams. He also gained respect and a lot of friends. He was also granted a gift that few people experienced, the gift of true love. He met his true love when he was still in college. “She was watching one of our games when I first saw her,” he told the interviewer. Her name is Adelle Pascual; the woman whom he got married to and is the mother of his two kids.
Now, Celino Cruz lives a wonderful life in a nice house with his beautiful wife, Adelle, and his bright kids, Claire and Andres. He is very much contented with his life.