In just two games in the NCAA seniors division, Mark Gojo Cruz has already shown his wares with the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
Gojo Cruz already has an average of 17.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 steals as the Altas defeated Jose Rizal University and Arellano University to open their campaign in Season 100.
"Masaya pero, credits naman sa coaches ko, teammates ko kasi lagi nila bino-boost confidence ko," the 19-year old rookie said after scoring 20 points against the Chiefs on Friday.
Despite leading the Altas in the past two games, Gojo Cruz said he is just doing what is expected of him, adding that it is a way of repaying what Perpetual did to him.
"Grateful lang kasi una, 'yung desisyon ko na pag-stay, kasi tama pala na 'yun nga, sabi lang ng pamilya ko mag-stay kasi sila (Perpetual) 'yung tumulong sa akin unang-una," Gojo Cruz said.
Apparently, it was Perpetual who first took a chance on him.
Gojo Cruz said he did not play for any other school before and he only tried out in Perpetual just for experience.
"2022 walk-in tryout lang ako," Gojo Cruz recalled.
"Nag-walk-in tryout ako. Sabi ko naman sa sarili ko, experience lang and kahit 'di ako makuha, masaya na ako sa sarili ko."
The rookie shared that Carl Soriano, who was part then of Perpetual's Team B, tipped Gojo Cruz' brother on the said tryout under then juniors coach Gerald Dizon.
From that leap of faith, Gojo Cruz eventually became part of the Junior Altas squad who made history by barging into the NCAA junior basketball finals for the first time.
Gojo Cruz was also awarded the Rookie of the Year plum and was part of the Season 99 juniors mythical team before jumping to the seniors team.
"First time ko maging varsity dito. Kahit maliit na elementary, or mga intrams di ako nagta-try kasi mahina ang loob ko dati sa Bulacan. Kahit maliliit na schools sa Bulacan, wala talaga," the Sta. Maria, Bulacan native said.
"Sila (Perpetual) ang unang nagbigay ng tiwala sa akin. I-pay back ko lang 'yon and gusto ko ipakita ang loyalty ko as a player."
Altas head coach Olsen Racela, meanwhile, said Gojo Cruz still has a lot of room for improvement but his performance already shows what kind of player he is.
"Nakita ko na 'yan sa high school, but ginagawa niya 'yon sa players na kasing-edad niya. Now, five years older yata mga kalaban niya. It just shows 'yung potential ni Gojo."
"Marami pang room for growth for him. He's a two-way player. Hindi pa niya alam nang buo 'yung sistema, may mistakes pa siya, but that's part of learning. Marami pang ilalaro 'yang si Gojo."
—GMA Integrated News
