Happy Birthday, Bienvinido Dela Cruz ( Jan 28 )

BIENVENIDO DE LA CRUZ time team I knew since I left collegiate basketball. But A & W Records has given me a new fire, a new hope to better my game", the forward-guard-center number five of the Recorders admits. "There are no stars in the team and this is working in our favor. Everybody here is okay, from the team manager, to the coach, to the players. I cannot ask for more." "He's a good trainer," he says of his former mentor. Although a lot of MICAA fans readily admit that Bien has improved in his offense and defense, the likeable cager still believes that "I should develop my shooting and should try to inject more hustle in my game."  e is fondly referred to as bato, meaning rock. The accolade recognizes his spartan built and gladiator's stance as he grabs for the leather, or when he allows himself to carry the weight and ache of a charging opposition. To these players who are all challenged to test his iron chest and track and field legs, perhaps he can only say, "Sisiwl " For it's true. Devoid of the hardcourt pose that, say, characterizes teammate Ed Tierra's game, his brand borders on the game displayed by most provincial basketeers on their first taste of city caging. "It's because he is a fighter. You can never catch him napping or taking time to go for the leather during rebound plays. It's an asset in his brand. It's an asset immensely helping the team," states coach Nemie Villegas of his prize-recruit from ITM. The ironman being referred to here is 6-2, 22-year old Bienvenido de la Cruz, an ITM dribbler for three years, now enjoying a fruitful first year as an A & W Recorder. The third in a brood of ten of Martin de la Cruz and the former Catalina Sandel of Bambang, Bocaue, Bulacan, Bien considers his transfer to his new team as "a blessing in disguise." "It was difficult to leave ITM because of sentimentalities.