| Mark Cruz | |
| Number: | 9 |
| League: | MPBL |
| Team: | South Cotabato Warriors |
| Nationality: | Filipino |
| Birth Date: | 27 July 1992 |
| Birth Place: | Quezon City, Philippines |
| Height Ft: | 5 |
| Height In: | 6 |
| Weight Lbs: | 150 |
| High School: | Letran (Manila) |
| College: | Letran |
| Draft Year Pba: | 2015 |
| Draft Round Pba: | 3 |
| Draft Pick Pba: | 30 |
| Draft Team Pba: | Star Hotshots |
| Team1: | Star Hotshots |
| Years1: | 2015–2016 |
| Team2: | Phoenix Fuel Masters |
| Years2: | 2016 |
| Team3: | Blackwater Elite |
| Years3: | 2017–2018 |
| Team4: | Pampanga Giant Lanterns |
| Years4: | 2019–2020 |
| Team5: | Bicol Volcanoes |
| Years5: | 2021 |
| Team6: | GenSan / South Cotabato Warriors |
| Years6: | 2022–present |
| Highlights: |
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Mark Lu Cruz (born July 27, 1992) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the South Cotabato Warriors of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He earned the moniker Ant Man during his days in the NCAA.[1]
Cruz studied at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and played for the Letran Knights varsity squad. Teaming up with Kevin Alas and Raymond Almazan, and later Kevin Racal and Rey Nambatac, he propelled the Knights to the finals in 2012 and 2013, only to lose to the San Beda Red Lions on both occasions.[2] [3] [4] After missing the Final Four the year before, he flourished under new coach Aldin Ayo, leading the Knights in his final collegiate year.[5] In 2015, he led the Knights to an NCAA Championship against their nemesis San Beda, ending a 10-year title drought. He was awarded the Finals MVP.[6]
Cruz was drafted 30th overall in the 2015 Rookie Draft by the Star Hotshots.[7] Unlike his fellow rookies, he signed a one-conference contract with the Hotshots. In his PBA debut he tallied 7 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal in a loss to the San Miguel Beermen[8] In May 2016, Cruz was traded by Star to Phoenix Fuel Masters in a three-team trade that also involved GlobalPort Batang Pier.[9]
Cruz is the younger brother of former UP Fighting Maroons star and PBA player Marvin Cruz.[10] His favorite player growing up was Jimmy Alapag. He took up a degree in Operations Management and hopes to start a business someday.[11]