FORMER PBA enforcer Ramon “Onchie” dela Cruz is knocking on the government’s doors to help for his total knee replacement.
In a short Facebook video posted on Friday, dela Cruz was seen entering the Philippine Orthopedic Center in Quezon City, as he planned to process documents which could aid his surgery.
“Para makahingi ng tulong sa gobyerno,” he quipped.
Known before as “Junior Jaworski” for his tough-as-nails approach which mimicked the “never-say-die” attitude of the great Robert Jaworski, the Philippine Christian University product represented the national team and won two gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games.
He was with the champion Philippine team in Singapore in 1983, teaming up with the likes of Samboy Lim and Hector Calma. Then 10 years later, also at the Lion City, he was part of the rag-tag squad under the late Rogelio “Tembong” Melencio which again won the gold medal.
Onchie's PBA journey
Dela Cruz was the second overall pick in the inaugural PBA Rookie Draft in 1985, picked by Tanduay Rhum and selected after Sonny Cabatu.
Dela Cruz would go on and play for a decade in the PBA across Tanduay, Shell, and Presto Tivoli, winning four championships - none more notable than the 1987 Open Conference when the Rhum Makers won the best-of-seven series in five games and he was named Finals MVP.
He would retire in 1994 and later took on acting jobs, including as supporting cast in the 2003 classic "Pakners" starring the late Fernando Poe Jr. and the great Efren “Bata” Reyes.
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