| No. 8 – Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | |
|---|---|
| Position | Shooting guard /small forward |
| League | MPBL |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1988-09-07)September 7, 1988 (age 36) Cadiz, Negros Occidental, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 217 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | RTU NU |
| PBA draft | 2013: 2nd round, 17th overall pick |
| Selected by theTalk 'N Text Tropang Texters | |
| Playing career | 2013–present |
| Career history | |
| 2013–2014 | Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters |
| 2014–2015 | Blackwater Elite |
| 2016–2017 | Alab Pilipinas |
| 2017 | GlobalPort Batang Pier |
| 2017–2018 | San Miguel Alab Pilipinas |
| 2018–2019 | Bataan Risers |
| 2019–2020 | GenSan Warriors |
| 2021–2023 | Davao Occidental Tigers |
| 2023 | Makati OKBet Kings |
| 2023–present | Nueva Ecija Capitals/Rice Vanguards |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Robby Cruz Celiz (born September 7, 1988) is a Filipino professional basketball player for theNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards of theMaharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He was drafted 17th overall in the2013 PBA draft by the Tropang Texters.[1] He has played in multiple basketball leagues such as theASEAN Basketball League (ABL),Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), andPilipinas Super League (PSL).
Celiz first played forRizal Technological University.[2] He didn't think that he would be playing basketball after college. His team won the silver medal in the 2009 Penang Unity Chief Basketball Minister Friendship Cup, with him scoring 31 points with eight threes in the final game of the tournament.[3]
He was then discovered byEric Altamirano, the coach of theNU Bulldogs at the time. He only played one season there.[4]
Celiz was selected 17th overall in the2013 PBA draft by Talk 'n Text.[1] His team made thefinals in the2014 Commissioner's Cup.[5] However, they lost to theSan Mig Coffee Mixers, 3–1, despite going on a 13-game winning streak before the finals.[6] He was left unprotected for theexpansion draft.[7]
Celiz was then drafted by theBlackwater Elite in the expansion draft.[8] He scored 11 points in a loss to theNLEX Road Warriors in the2014–15 Philippine Cup.[9] They had no wins that conference.[10]
Celiz then joined other ex-PBA players such asJeric Fortuna andJR Cawaling among others in playing forAlab Pilipinas.[11] After struggling in his first few games, he found his stroke when he finished with 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting from three in Alab's 87–79 win over theWestports Malaysia Dragons.[12]
Two days later, Celiz played his best game for Alab when he scored 23 points in a 79–77 road loss to Malaysia He scored 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting to lead the locals in a win over theHong Kong Eastern Long Lions.[13]
After his stint with Alab and spending time in thePBA D-League, Celiz signed a deal with theGlobalPort Batang Pier for the rest of the2017 Governors' Cup.[14]
Celiz, along withRay Parks Jr., and Lawrence Domingo, returned to Alab.[15] His team won the2017–18 title over theMono Vampire.[16]
Celiz, along with Alab teammatePamboy Raymundo, joined theBataan Risers.[17] In Bataan's 95–85 win over theImus Bandera, he scored 15 points while hauling down seven rebounds and dishing three assists.[2] His team went on to finish with a league-best 23–2 record.[18] They beat theCaloocan Supremos in the quarterfinals, but lost to theManila Stars in three games.
Celiz then joined theGenSan Warriors the following season. He scored a career-high 27 points in an upset win over the previously unbeaten San Juan Knights.[19] He then had 26 points (including the game-winner) in a close win over Imus.[20] In a game against thePasay Voyagers, he went on a personal 9–0 run which helped GenSan take control of the game and win after trailing for most of that game.[21] He finished that game with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. In their final game of the regular season, he contributed 23 points and 16 rebounds as the Warriors ended with the 7th seed.[22] Before the playoffs, he contributed 12 points and five rebounds in the South All-Stars' overtime win over the North.[23] He led his team in scoring in both of their playoff games against theBacoor City Strikers but they still lost.[24][25]
In 2021, Celiz was signed by theDavao Occidental Tigers, his third team in the MPBL.[26] During theFilBasket Subic Championship, he almost had a triple-double with 26 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists with three blocks in a double-overtime win over the San Juan Knights.[27] He scored 10 points to help Davao get to the semifinals overBurlington EOG Sports.[28] The Tigers then moved to the PSL.[29]
In the inaugural game of thePilipinas Super League (PSL), Celiz led his team with a stat line of 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks in a win over theRoxas Vanguards.[30] He then had 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks in a win over theCagayan Valley Golden Eagles.[31]
He was set to play for them once again as the rebranded Davao Pilipinas were originally picked to represent the Philippines in theASEAN Basketball League (ABL).[32] However, those plans fell through and theZamboanga Valientes became the new Philippine representatives for the ABL.[33]
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12 | NU | 9 | 8.8 | .324 | .000 | .667 | 1.8 | .7 | .2 | .2 | 2.7 |
| Career | 9 | 8.8 | .324 | .000 | .667 | 1.8 | .7 | .2 | .2 | 2.7 | |
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | Talk 'N Text | 5 | 4.0 | .000 | .000 | 1.000 | .4 | .2 | – | .4 | .8 |
| 2014–15 | Blackwater | 24 | 17.1 | .293 | .246 | .686 | 1.4 | 1.2 | .2 | .3 | 4.6 |
| 2016–17 | GlobalPort | 5 | 2.2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .2 | .2 | – | – | – |
| Career | 34 | 13.0 | .279 | .241 | .718 | 1.1 | .9 | .1 | .1 | 3.4 | |
In 2013, Celiz, along withKevin Ferrer, Bacon Austria, and Gio Ciriacruz, represented thePhilippines in the2013 FIBA Asia 3x3 Championship.[35]
Celiz has a son, Rob, who currently plays for theNUNS Bullpups.[36]