ONCHIE dela Cruz's plea for help didn't fall on deaf ears.
Just days after dela Cruz went on Facebook to document his bid to undergo knee surgery in a government hospital, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Pato Gregorio assured help for the retired PBA guard and former national player.
"Onchie, the PSC will help you. We will never forget your contribution to Philippine basketball. We will contact you soonest," Gregorio, also former chairman of the PBA board, said in a message relayed through SPIN.ph.
READ Onchie dela Cruz asks for government help on knee surgery
Dela Cruz, a rugged guard from Tondo who played nine seasons in the PBA with Tanduay, Presto and Shell, went to the Philippine Orthopedic Center on Friday to process documents in the hope of undergoing knee replacement surgery.
On Saturday, dela Cruz, who played for the national team four times, winning gold in the Southeast Asian Games twice, posted results of X-rays done on both knees and went on Facebook Live a day later to ask for help from the government.
"Makikita mo dun [sa result of X-rays] na buto sa buto na talaga," said dela Cruz, who is active on social media chronicling the present lives of former basketball stars. "So sana ang gobyerno natin matulungan ako."
"Kung may trabaho ako, hindi ako hihingi ng tulong, sasarilinin ko. Alam mo sa totoo lang, nahihiya ako. Ayoko lumapit kahit kanino. Pero wala akong magagawa, kailangang-kailangan ko ito dahil parang unti-unti ako nalulumpo."
Dela Cruz was a member of the gold medal-winning team in the 1983 SEA Games in Singapore and returned to the national team a decade later upon the request of the late Tembong Melencio to serve as leader of a young team made up of Marlou Aquino, Dennis Espino, Kenneth Duremdes, Peter Naron, Poch Juinio, Cris Bade, Patrick Fran, Gilbert Castillo, Michael Orquillas, Noli Locsin, and the late Boybits Victoria.
READ How a rag-tag PH team defies odds at 1993 SEA Games
His national team comeback was marred by a bum knee which grew progressively worse, although he still was able to play for a rag-tag squad left without Marlou and Co. that still won the gold at the 1993 SEA Games, also in Singapore.
Gregorio said he was a fan of dela Cruz and is very much aware of his contributions to the Philippine national team.
“Masakit sa puso na makita na ang isang former national athlete ay hindi maalagaan," Gegorio said. "Halika sa PSC. Tutulungan ka namin. Mabuhay ka Onchie. Idol kita."
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