In notching his first victory with the newest MPBL team member, Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, coach Louie Gonzalez was able to get a help from a former enemy – ex-San Beda Red Lion Art dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz was a last-minute inclusion of the Cowboys, but the second generation player didn’t have trouble fitting in quickly to the system of Gonzalez, whose squad posted an impressive 74-54 win over Sarangani for a smashing debut in the country’s nationwide basketball tournament just recently.
Playing in front of their home crowd at the newly-built, 10,000-seater capacity Capital Arena in the City of Ilagan, the Cowboys came out more energized led by this lefty forward who played in the PBA for several years, Dela Cruz flexed his muscles and pumped in 16 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
Dela Cruz was flattered by the fact Gonzalez made him feel that he’s needed.
“Si Coach Louie talaga,” said Dela Cruz when asked why did he choose to join the Cowboys. “To be honest, siya kalaban ko during college. Kaya nakakataba ng puso na yun pang kalaban ko nakaka-appreciate ng laro ko.”
“Hindi lahat nabibigyan ng chance ng kalaban mo, na mamahalin ka ng kalaban mo,” he added. “For the whole part of my career, hindi ko akalain na magugustuhan nila ako. Kaya masarap sa feeling na nakikita nila yung talent ko.”
For Gonzalez, he feels his team has become much better by turning his old rival into an ally.
“He’s like the icing on the cake (for our team),” added Gonzalez, who coached Jose Rizal University for several years when Dela Cruz was among the star players of that talent-laden Red Lions, who created a dynasty in the NCAA.
“We’re so used to building and developing players, but nakita namin nung practice namin na we needed someone who can take the lead, it’s good thing na available si Art. Malaking bagay siguro yun (na dati ko siyang kalaban), but we know Art is a good team player.”
