Information about Pandacan Sports Complex

Pandacan Sports Complex

The Pandacan Sports Complex, more commonly known as the Jacinto Ciria Cruz Sports complex, is a recreation and sports complex located along Selya and Gen. Osmalik streets in Pandacan, Manila. 

The complex has spacious basketball court that is used not only for users to play basketball, but for various recreational activities and community gatherings during special occasions, town fiestas and sporting events as well. 

Jacinto Ciria Cruz Sport complex also boasts of a 25 meter swimming pool that is large enough for professional and amateurs athletes to swim laps and enjoy a proper workout. 

Basketball Legend

The sports complex was named after Filipino athlete Jacinto Ciria Cruz. Affectionately called “Jumping Jack”, Ciria Cruz was a Filipino basketball player and coach who played under the men’s basketball team of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST). Born in 1911, he is belonged to the team representing the Philippines at the 11th Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany

He is widely regarded to be the best player in the country’s National Basketball Team at the time, as well as the team’s co-captain, with the late senator Ambrosio Padilla as the team captain. 

The Filipino basket players garnered fifth place overall during the 1936 Summer Olympic Games, said to be the highest any Asian team has ever accomplished in Olympic basketball history.  

Ciria Cruz was also a Filipino soldier who fought during World War 2, and was later killed in service, in 1944. 

Upgraded Swimming Pool 

The 25 meter pool was renovated by the local city government in recent years, making the sport of swimming easily accessible to its constituents. 

The public pool’s filtration system was upgraded and its facilities enhanced to encourage residents to take up the sport. It is also where residents can flock to cool off from the tropical weather in the country, especially during the summer months.