The powerhouse Davao Occidental Tigers Cocolife boosted their muscle in the paint by acquiring the services of PBA journeyman Jervy Cruz.
He will don the Tigers’ jersey in their next game in the Pilipinas Super League Pro Second Conference Dumper Cup.
Team manager Ray Alao confirmed the team’s prized catch Saturday night at the San Andres Gym in Malate Manila after their thrilling victory against Quezon City Beacons, 81-79, to remain unbeaten in six games.
Cruz was present and watched the game at the sidelines as an indication that he will join the Tigers’ roar in their future games.
“Once a Tiger, always a Tiger,” said Alao of Cruz, a former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers’ slotman of coach Pido Jarencio.
Cruz played for NorthPort Batang Pier, Barangay Ginebra and then Rain or Shine in the PBA.
The erstwhile free agent will be back in action at the Tigers’ den of the Davao Occidental of the Bautista clan. The team is also supported by Cocolife Pres. Atty. Jose Martin Loon, SVP Joseph Ronquillo, VP Rowena Asnan and EVP Franz Joie Araque.
The 6’3” Cruz will man the paint on both ends, along with veteran slotman Larry Rodriguez, Keith Agovida and Gab Dagangon to boost the roster of the team, which also has shooter John Wilson, Kyt Jimenez, Marco Balagtas, Rob Celis, returning Billy Ray Robles and other reliable Tigers of coach Arvin Bonleon.
The Davao Occidental Tigers Cocolife lead the elimination round, 6-0, in the league organized by PSL president Rocky Chan, along with VP Alao and commissioner Marc Pingris and presented by Winzir and Dumper Party List.
Pampanga Royce is in close second, 5-0, while the Pampanga Lanterns and San Juan Kings are catching up with identical 3-0 markers.
The Santa Rosa Laguna Lions and Batang Kankaloo are both 4-1, followed by Koponang Lakan ng Bulacan (3-2), Manila City Stars (4-3), Bicol Spicy Oragon (2-3), Boracay Islanders and Nueva Ecija Slashers (2-4), while 1Munti Emeralds, Quezon City Beacons and Cabuyao Home Lab Nation are 1-4. The ARS Warriors and Cagayan de Oro PSP have only a win to show in six outings.