Celino Cruz

Celino Salazar Cruz (born July 22, 1977) is a Filipino former professional basketball player. A deadly left-handed shooter, he is best known for his clutch plays. Cruz played eight seasons in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). After playing for the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw in college, Cruz was drafted by the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals nineteenth overall in the 2002 PBA draft. He started his professional career as a rookie with the Shell Turbo Chargers in the 2004–05 PBA season, and later played for the Red Bull Barako before being traded to the Burger King Whoopers and then the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants.

Celino Cruz

Personal information
Born	(1977-07-22) July 22, 1977 Manila, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Listed height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Listed weight	170 lb (77 kg)
Career information
High school	St. Anne's Catholic High School (Hagonoy, Bulacan)
College	FEU (1995–2001)
PBA draft	2002: 1st round, 19th overall pick
Selected by the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals
Playing career	2004–2012
Position	Point guard
Number	1
Career history
2004-2005	Shell Turbo Chargers
2005–2008	Red Bull Barako
2008–2009	Air21 Express / Burger King Whoopers
2009	Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants
2009–2010	Barangay Ginebra Kings
2010–2012	Powerade Tigers
2012–2013	Barako Bull Energy

College

As a freshman, the 1999–2000 season, Cruz was already a starter on a relatively unheralded team. The FEU Tamaraws came into the season and predicted to finish not higher than sixth. But, the Tamaraws won an unexpected UAAP Championship.

Cruz' sophomore season was his breakout year. He led the Tamaraws to their second consecutive UAAP Championship where he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

The 2001–2002 season saw Cruz establish himself as one of the top amateur players in the nation. He was the leader of the team and was considered a "coach on the floor." He also received Player of the Year and the Silver Basketball award, and was named to the Mythical Second Team. Cruz then decided to leave college early after his junior year to play in the PBA.

PBA career

Ginebra

Barangay Ginebra traded Paul Artadi, Rafi Reavis, and the rights to 2009 8th pick overall Chris Timberlake for Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez, Celino Cruz, and Paolo Bugia of Purefoods. Burger King acted as the conduit team, trading Pocholo Villanueva to Ginebra and acquiring the rights to 2009 Rookie draft eighteenth pick Orlando Daroya and future picks.

Powerade

At the end of the 2009-10 PBA season, he was released by the Barangay Ginebra Kings. Days after, he was signed by the Powerade Tigers as a free agent. He played a key role on his first year as its starting point guard. Together with Gary David, they became a one-two punch for their offense.

PBA career statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field-goal percentage	3P%	3-point field-goal percentage	FT%	Free-throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

Season-by-season averages

Year	Team	GP	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2004–05	Shell	46	13.9	.388	.357	.700	1.6	1.4	.6	.0	3.1
2005–06	Red Bull	58	20.9	.417	.384	.744	3.2	1.6	.9	.1	4.6
2006–07	Red Bull	55	20.1	.454	.379	.750	2.5	2.1	.6	.0	6.2
2007–08	Red Bull	46	22.2	.376	.355	.705	3.3	2.6	.8	.0	8.0
2008–09	Red Bull	36	17.0	.376	.360	.772	2.8	1.9	.6	.1	5.5
	Air21 / Burger King
	Purefoods
2009–10	Barangay Ginebra	38	18.1	.395	.355	.692	1.9	1.8	.6	.0	4.3
2010–11	Powerade	21	21.0	.349	.339	.750	2.2	2.9	.7	.1	4.8
2011–12	Powerade	44	16.6	.377	.456	.652	2.2	2.0	.6	.1	4.1
2012–13	Barako Bull	19	14.5	.231	.159	.882	1.1	1.2	.3	.0	3.1
Career		363	18.5	.389	.361	.734	2.4	1.9	.7	.0	5.0

External links

• Player Profile