Even without officially announcing it, it’s clear that homegrown talent Mark Gojo Cruz is poised to lead the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in its redemption campaign when the next NCAA season tips off.
The 6-foot guard from Santa Maria, Bulacan, played a key role in Perpetual’s promising run in NCAA Season 101, which came to a heart-wrenching end after a narrow 70-74 loss to Letran in Game 2 of the semifinals on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
For Gojo Cruz — who averaged 16.0 points on 46.3-percent shooting, 3.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 block, and 0.7 steals in the postseason — the defeat was a stark reminder of just how close the Altas came to their first Final Four appearance since Season 97.
It also showed how much work remains to secure the program’s elusive NCAA seniors’ basketball crown.
“Nakakahinayang syempre, tapos na-trigger ako personally kasi hindi ko nabigyan ng magandang Finals exit yung seniors ko. Ako kasi personally, goal ko talaga makapag-champion na kahit sophomore pa lang ako. Yung three years ko kasi na natitira, hindi ko naman alam if nandoon pa yung ganitong opportunity,” said the 21-year-old guard.
“Nag-thank you lang din kami sa mga seniors, sa efforts nila. Dami kasi rin namin struggle nung offseason,” he added.
“Siguro, nag-promise naman ako sa kanila na ibabawi ko sila. Hopefully, next season, makuha na namin yung goal na ‘yon.”
Despite Perpetual now facing the battle for bronze, Gojo Cruz walked out of the bayside arena with pride, knowing the Altas had exceeded expectations with a top-four finish — a feat that highlighted the rapid progress of the program.
From a dismal eighth-place finish in Season 98, to narrowly missing the Final Four in Season 99, and slipping to seventh last year, Perpetual has steadily rebuilt its reputation — and Gojo Cruz has been at the center of that resurgence.
“Siguro, it shows na hindi ba, start naman ng season, wala namang nag-expect na nasa Final Four kami. Proud ako sa run namin sa team ko. Prinove lang din namin na mali sila. Rinarank ‘yata kami nung una sa mga predictions either sa sixth, seventh, or eighth [place]. Siguro, proud lang din ako kasi kita ko rin naman yung effort,” he shared.
“Sinabi lang [ni coach Olsen Racela] na maging proud kami sa kung ano yung napuntahan namin. ‘Yon lang naman talaga yung target namin na i-prove namin na mali sila. ‘Yon yung naging fuel namin sa season na ito — yung minamaliit kami.”
Adding to the growing buzz around the young guard, a couple of UAAP schools have expressed interest in Gojo Cruz, keeping the door open for potential opportunities beyond Perpetual.
Looking ahead, the Altas are gearing up to face the loser of the College of Saint Benilde–San Beda University semifinals. Gojo Cruz made it clear that Perpetual will approach the battle for third place with the same intensity as a Finals game, aiming to build momentum and confidence for Season 102.
“Siguro kahit hindi namin akalain na ganito yung end, kukunin namin yung third para sa mga seniors namin. At syempre, isang [achievement] din ‘yon sa school namin dahil wala pa nga kaming championship,” he said.
“Siguro ano, kukunin namin ‘yon para makapagpa-boost sa confidence namin sa next season.”
