Blackwater 1st rd pick Dela Cruz named NCAA Player of the Week

MANILA, Philippines -- Arthur dela Cruz is not the kind of player who hides his feelings. If he says he wants it, he'll get it.

"I want to give San Beda another championship before enter the PBA," said dela Cruz, who was picked seventh overall by Blackwater in this year's PBA rookie draft a couple of weeks back.

"If I can win the MVP award, I'll consider it a bonus," he added.

Dela Cruz is on course of capturing his first MVP plum as he trails Mapua's Allwell Oraeme in the tight race after he figured in the top five of three categories--20.36 points (second), 12.09 boards (fourth) and 6.09 assists (third).

He further boosted his stock when he came through with spectacular efforts in a 96-84 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo last Tuesday unleashing 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals and an 89-63 bashing of St. Benilde Friday chalking up 17 points, 10 caroms and seven dimes.

Dela Cruz was also named ACCEL Quantum/3XVI-NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week honors along the way.

Dela Cruz has been San Beda's anchor while teammates Ola Adeogun struggles and Baser Amer is recuperating from a dislocated shoulder.

Dela Cruz beat Letran's Mark Cruz and Lyceum's Cameroonian big man Jean Victor Nguidjol for the weekly plum sponsored by ACCEL Quantum and 3XVI.