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After numerous Gilas stints, Cruz finally set for home debut

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/07/02/20180701-fiba-gilas-practice-9493-md-10.jpg"/><figcaption>Carl Bryan Cruz makes his home debut for Gilas Pilipinas against Australia. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – Alaska forward Carl Bryan Cruz has been playing for the Philippines internationally since 2016. He has competed in FIBA Asia tournaments and was one of the veterans of last year’s gold-medal winning team in the Southeast Asian Games.Yet somehow, Monday’s game against Australia in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers – which will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan – marks the first time that Cruz will play at home as a part of the national team.Cruz, together with Meralco’s Baser Amer, was included in the final 12-man line-up for the Philippines’ game against the Boomers, their last of the first round of qualifiers.The winner will end up as the top team in Group B after the first round – a scenario made possible by Australia’s loss to Japan last Friday, which happened just as the Philippines was wrapping up a 93-71 rout of Chinese-Taipei.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2018/06/29/fiba-gilas-dominates-taipei-set-australia-rematch-43703">READ: Gilas Pilipinas dominates Taipei to set up Australia rematch</a></li></ul>Explaining his decision to include Amer and Cruz, Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes said: “We needed Jio (Jalalon) and Allein (Maliksi) for Chinese-Taipei, because we knew we would need Jio to hound the pesky Chinese guards, and we need Allein to be an extra zone buster.”“Now, for Australia, we need more size. We need a bigger guard, which Baser gives us, and we need a bigger shooter, which CBC gives,” he added.For Cruz, it is always an honor to suit up for the national team – but playing at home makes this experience even more special.“Tuwang-tuwa ako, kasi first time ko lang makalaro sa Manila, tapos FIBA pa,” said Cruz, who has previously played in the FIBA Asia Challenge Cup in 2016 and the FIBA Asia Cup in 2017.“Lahat ng nilaro ko, puro out of the country,” he noted. “So ngayon, sobrang excited ako na makaharap ‘yung mga kapwa Pilipino natin.”Cruz was part of the Philippine squad that played against Australia in the second qualifying window back in February 22, grabbing a single rebound in six minutes and 39 seconds of action. The Philippines lost that game, 84-68.This time around, Cruz feels he is ready to contribute more to the team.“Every time na makakasama naman ako sa line-up, special sa akin ‘yun. Tini-treat kong opportunity ‘yun,” said the Alaska forward.“This time, second time, may advantage na ako. Alam ko na ‘yung flow, alam ko na ‘yung laro ng Australia,” he added. “Kumbaga, may advantage akong kaunti.”However, this will also be a different Australian team. The Boomers called up NBA players Thon Maker and Matthew Dellavedova for the third window of the qualifiers, making them an even more dangerous team – the loss to Japan nothwithstanding.Cruz acknowledged that Dellavedova and Maker were “added reinforcements” to an already powerful Australia team, but vowed that Gilas will be ready.“Kami, despite the lack of preparation, alam naman namin sa sarili namin, confident kami na kaya namin,” he said. “Makakapag-execute kami ng maayos sa court bukas.”<div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports</a> website.</div>

Monday’s game against Australia in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers marks the first time that Alaska forward Carl Bryan Cruz will play at home as a part of the national team.

Monday’s game against Australia in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers marks the first time that Alaska forward Carl Bryan Cruz will play at home as a part of the national team.

After numerous Gilas stints, Cruz finally set for home debut

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After numerous Gilas stints, Cruz finally set for home debut

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 02, 2018 06:19 AM PHT

Read More:

Carl Bryan Cruz

FIBA World Cup

Gilas Pilipinas

basketball

Australia

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