Rookie duo of Mark Ruvic Danag and Mark Gojo Cruz tipped to do wonders for rejigged Perpetual

Fresh out of high school, two rookies in Mark Ruvic Danag and Mark Gojo Cruz are expected to make immediate impact for University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in NCAA Season 100. 

Danag and Gojo Cruz, who went against each other in the junior ranks for San Sebastian and Perpetual, respectively, will now join forces to be at the forefront of the ALTAs' offense when the wards of new head coach Olsen Racela begin their redemption bid next month. 

This early, the two young stars already have a clear understanding of their roles in the team. 

"Sabi lang ni Coach O (Racela) na kinuha niya ako as shooter kaya gawin ko lang ‘yung role ko na tira lang nang tira at saka ‘yun lang din ‘yung gagawin ko this season kung may chance na makapasok," the 19-year-old Danag said. 

Both Danag and Gojo Cruz were standouts in the high school level. 

Leading the Staglets, Danag was nothing short of stellar for the team in its Season 99 campaign as he emerged as the second best scorer with 15.11 points together with 3.56 rebounds, 2.89 assists, and 1.22 steals to help the school finish at fourth spot. 

Danag even dropped a 34-point outing at one point, which eventually became the second highest scoring output for the whole season. 

He shared that he decided to move to Las Piñas with the ALTAs because of Racela, whom his family watched during the latter's active days in the PBA with San Miguel. 

"Idol din ni mama si Coach O. San Miguel fan po [kami]. Naisip ko na marami akong matutunan kay Coach O, sa basketball, and marami akong makukuhang improvement sa kanya kasi magaling siya na coach po," Danag said. 

Gojo Cruz, meanwhile, was a key cog in Perpetual Junior Altas' impressive bridesmaid finish in Season 99, which saw the school reach its first-ever finals appearance in history. 

The 6-foot guard, who posted 13.92 points, 5.46 rebounds, 4.23 assists, and 1.0 steals, captured the Rookie of the Year and was named to Mythical Five. 

While the environment stays the same for him, Gojo Cruz said he still has a lot of work to do.

"‘Yung transition ko, okay naman pero syempre may mga downside din, kailangan ko maging matured pa sa games and sa practices namin, dapat mas maging maganda ‘yung IQ ko sa paglalaro," he shared. 

Danag and Gojo Cruz were the 7th and 10th best scorers in the previous juniors basketball edition and both are tipped to be instrumental for the new-look Perpetual. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News