Head coach Nash Racela and team executive Patrick Aquino also confirmed to Tiebreaker times that the 6-foot-4 Cruz will be out of commission as he is still recovering.

“He is still recuperating from his injury,” said Aquino.

Last year, Cruz was traded with Abu Tratter to play for the Dioceldo Sy-owned franchise where he reunites with fellow FEU alumni Rey Mark Belo and Negrense forward Raymar Jose.

Cruz will surely leave the team crippled without his talent of being the ‘heady player’ as what mentor coach Aris Dimaunahan described him.

“He understands the game well and he could also be one of those guys who could spread the floor for us in our offense and works very hard on the rebounding department,” Dimaunahan said before having Cruz in the team.

Since then, Cruz has been a great gunner to the team’s rotation, averaging 6.27 points and 2.82 rebounds in 11 games played during the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup.

Without his presence in the team, Racela is left to rely more on his guard-heavy roster with Mac Belo back on the team after his hiatus last year due to a knee injury.

Black Water will still have a loaded court together with the tandem of big men Marion Magat and Yousef Taha, as well as Roi Sumang and Mike Tolomia upfront.