Technical director dies in sleep in ongoing All-Stars

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines  – PBA technical director Ramil Cruz died in his sleep early yesterday morning, a sad note in an otherwise fun-filled, smooth-sailing of the PBA All-Star Week here.

The 26th edition of the annual PBA mid-season spectacle, among the most successful ever, was winding to a close when it was hit by the bad news.

“It is with a deep sense of loss and sadness that we inform the members of Philippine basketball community, our players and coaches, and the fans that we have lost our technical director Ramil Cruz,” said the PBA in a statement.

“He was found dead in his sleep at 6:30 a.m. Initial examination conducted by the medical rescue team indicated that Ramil suffered from a heart attack,” the statement added.

A former UP Maroon and among the most well-loved PBA personalities, Cruz, 48, was just back in the PBA and awaiting formal approval by the PBA board of governors of his promotion from technical supervisor to technical director (a management committee level) at the time of his death.

A pall of gloom enveloped the Aziza Hotel when words of Cruz’ passing went around. PBA officials, coaches, players or just everybody was shocked.

“He offered to share his room with me when I came, but I said ‘wait, I will ask first if I have accommodation.’ It turned out I have my own room. Had I accepted his offer, I could have saved him,” said coach Joe Lipa, a virtual father to the deceased PBA official.

“He’s among the biggest heroes of our championship (with UP in the UAAP in 1986). We would’ve not made the finals if not for him,” Lipa recalled.

FEU was then wrapping up a semifinal win versus UP when Cruz intercepted the Tamaraws’ inbounds in the last eight seconds and scored on a layup as the Maroons stole the game to advance to the finals versus the UE Warriors.

“Nagdadasal na lang ako noon. I said ‘Lord kung hanggang dito na lang ang fate namin, bahala ka na.’ Pag dilat ko, Ramil had the ball. I didn’t know how he intercepted it. And it was the longest last six seconds I’ve seen. Nasa isip ko ‘Ramil, huwag kang madadapa,’” Lipa said.

Cruz and the Maroons then included future PBA greats Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc, who went on to deliver UP’s lone championship.

A scrappy forward with a decent outside shooting, Cruz also won a couple of championships with Lipa in the defunct PABL with Philips Sardines.

“He’s a good man,” said Ginebra official Alfrancis Chua, Cruz’s teammate in the PABL.

“He’s a devoted family man,” said PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial of the PBA technical chief, husband to wife Monette with four kids.

The PBA was awaiting the arrival here of Monette before making the necessary decisions.