MANILA – Rayver Cruz has opened up on why he never courted actress Maja Salvador despite their apparent closeness to each other.

During his interview on “Tonight with Boy Abunda” on Tuesday, host Boy Abunda asked Cruz if there was ever a time in his life that he fell in love with the "Ang Probinsyano" actress.

Without any hesitations, Cruz quickly replied: “Pinipigilan ko kaagad 'yung sarili ko kasi mahal ko 'yung mga kaibigan ko.”

Abunda then directly asked if he ever stopped himself from falling for Salvador because of his best friend Gerald Anderson, who was the actress’ former boyfriend.

With a smile on his face, Cruz replied: “Dahil mahal ko sila parehas.”

It’s been years since Cruz was last in a relationship. His last showbiz girlfriend was Cristine Reyes, with whom he parted ways in 2013.

Since then, Cruz has not been romantically linked to anyone, while Reyes is now married to Ali Khatibi and has a one-year-old daughter.

Despite being single for years now, Cruz had said in a past interview that he is just waiting for the right person to come.

"Wala eh. Ready naman ako, naghihintay lang ako kasi ayaw ko naman na hinahanap. Eventually, gusto ko 'yung bigla na lang siyang darating," he said, adding that he would prefer someone not from showbiz.

"Siguro kung maaari gusto ko non-showbiz naman pero kasi ang hirap naman sabihin and hindi naman ako mapiling tao. Basta tinamaan ako doon sa isang babae, 'yun na 'yun," he added.

Prior to Reyes, Cruz was also romantically linked to Sarah Geronimo.