Mark Cruz Explained

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:

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]

College career

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]

Professional career

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]

Personal life

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]

Notes and References

  1. News: Naredo . Camille . 'Ant-Man' Cruz thrilled to inspire undersized players . ABS-CBN News . July 23, 2015 . October 30, 2015.
  2. Web site: Riego. Norman Lee Benjamin. Letran bests San Beda for first title since 2005. ABS-CBN Sports. October 31, 2015.
  3. Web site: Domingo. Mia Rengie Angela Domingo. Small but terrible Mark Cruz stands tall, brings home the 'suka' for the Letran Knights. InterAKTV. October 30, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150909212329/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/small-but-terrible-mark-cruz-stands-tall-brings-home-the-suka-for-the-letran-knights. September 9, 2015. dead.
  4. Web site: NCAA Season 89 Finals Game 3: San Beda vs Letran. Philstar.com. October 30, 2015.
  5. Web site: Bracher. Jane. Mark Cruz ready to lead Letran Knights in his final year. July 2, 2015 . Rappler. October 30, 2015.
  6. Web site: Leongson. Randolph. Smallest man stands tallest as Mark Cruz named Finals MVP. Inquirer.net. October 29, 2015 . October 30, 2015.
  7. Web site: Full Results: 2015 PBA Rookie Draft. GMANetwork.com. October 30, 2015.
  8. Web site: Sacamos. Karlo. Mark Cruz thankful for one-conference Star deal, draws confidence from mentor Abarrientos. SPIN.ph. November 5, 2015.
  9. News: Star lands RR Garcia in 8-player trade with GlobalPort, Phoenix . InterAksyon . May 11, 2016 . May 31, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160624051050/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/star-lands-rr-garcia-in-8-player-trade-with-globalport-phoenix . June 24, 2016 . dead .
  10. News: Baybado. Daryl Angelo. Fearless Knight. August 29, 2015. lifestyle.inquirer.net. August 16, 2014.
  11. Web site: Olivares. Matthew. Mark Cruz: In the land of the giants. Philippine Star. October 30, 2015.