Back in his NCAA Season 99 run with the Junior Altas, Gojo Cruz bagged the Rookie of the Year award, earned a spot on the Mythical Team, and helped Perpetual reach the finals of the juniors tournament for the first time.
Now, with three years of experience with the seniors squad under his belt, Cruz is embracing a bigger role and hopes to pass on what he has learned to the next generation of Altas.
During the offseason earlier this year, Cruz also attracted interest from a couple of UAAP schools.
Ultimately, however, the 6-foot guard from Santa Maria, Bulacan decided to stay with Perpetual, the program that gave him his first opportunity.
“Ine-embrace ko ‘yung bigger role na binigay sa’kin this year. Going into this game, wala akong ibang mindset kundi bumawi kasi nahiya ako sa team ko,” he said.
Having been with the Perpetual basketball program for four years now, Cruz has no regrets about his wholehearted commitment to the university that gave him his first break.
“For me kasi, ‘yung loyalty, ‘yun talaga yung binibigay ko talaga sa Perpetual.
“Ako ‘yung bata na zero dati, walk-in tryout. Sila ‘yung unang nagtiwala sa akin, kaya gusto ko i-give back lang ’yung suporta na binigay nila at tiwala nila sa akin,” he added.
During his tenure with the Altas, many faces have come and gone. This season, in particular, Perpetual was left with a gaping hole after Patrick Sleat decided to turn professional following just one season with the team.
For Cruz, he acknowledges that no single player can replace the impact Sleat left behind. However, he believes it is now his responsibility to help fill that void — not by himself, but by stepping up and guiding his teammates along the way.
“Para sa akin, yung goal ko ay ma-lead ko yung team ko. Daming nawala nga sa amin at ‘di namin kayang palitan ’yan ng isa lang eh, kailangan talaga namin mag-tulong-tulong,” he shared.
“Kakausapin ko yung mga rookies and sophomores.”
Entrusted by head coach Olsen Racela to create opportunities not just for himself but for the entire team, the 22-year-old has shown growth and maturity as he adjusts to his newfound role as one of Perpetual’s leaders.
In their first win of NCAA Season 102 against Emilio Aguinaldo College, Cruz did a little bit of everything, putting together an all-around performance of 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
It was a welcome turnaround from his season debut against Colegio de San Juan de Letran, where he fouled out during the crucial final quarter.
“First game, limited minutes kasi puro foul ako, and thank God nakapag-perform ako today,” Cruz added.
“Naka-focus ako kung paano ko i-create ‘yung shooters ko, like Gelo [Gelsano] and JD [Pagulayan], ‘yun ‘yung role ko ngayon e.”
