Smallest man stands tallest as Mark Cruz named Finals MVP

Mark Cruz carries the Knights. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Small in size, but not in heart.

Mark Cruz stood the tallest as he steered Letran to a NCAA championship once again after a 10-year wait.

The 5-foot-5 player maker punctuated his collegiate career with 14 points, six rebounds, and seven assists to help the Knights score the hard-fought 85-82 overtime victory in game 3 on Thursday.

Averaging 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.0 steals in the titular series, Cruz was named he most Valuable Player of the Finals.

“Sobra kaming hungry sa championship,” said Cruz, who was part of the Letran teams that fell short in the Finals against their fierce rivals.

“Three years ako natalo sa San Beda. Ngayon, nakuha na namin kaya sobra talagang sarap.”

Cruz recounted the tough road Letran had to go through, with the Knights even losing an eight-point lead in the final two minutes before regaining ground and taking the series in overtime.

“Pressured kami nung dulo, pero nag-stick kami sa gameplan at ganun pa rin ang ginawa namin ng overtime,” he said.

Now that he bids Letran adieu, Cruz is hoping that he can carry over his feat with the Knights as he starts his professional career.

“Sobrang laki nito dahil yung kumpyansa ko, siguradong mabu-boost dito,” he said.