Dondon Hontiveros, Tony Dela Cruz sign off from PBA

September 20, 2017 - 7:20 PM
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Dondon Hontiveros and Tony Dela Cruz played their last PBA game on Wednesday night in the Alaska Aces’ 112-82 defeat to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Hontiveros, 40, and Dela Cruz, 39, signed off after decorated PBA careers.

Known as the “Cebuano Hotshot”, Hontiveros was one of the most prolific shooters the league has ever seen.

He ended his 17-year career as fourth in the all-time career three-pointers made.

Hontiveros won a total of three PBA titles and appeared in 13 All-Star Games. He entered the PBA in 2000 as a direct hire by Tanduay and went on to suit up for San Miguel, Air 21 and, finally, Alaska.

Hontiveros also served the national team several times, playing a significant role as the squad’s main gunner.

Dela Cruz, meanwhile, said goodbye after 18 years in the league.

The mid-range expert, who joined the league in 1999, spent his first six years in the PBA for the now-defunct Shell before becoming a fixture in Alaska, his team for 12 years. He won three PBA titles and earned four PBA All-Star nods.

Like Hontiveros, Dela Cruz also donned the national team colors.