NCAA: Heart over height for Letran’s diminutive Mark Cruz

How appropriate is it that the main man for the undersized Letran Knights in Season 91 would be the diminutive Mark Cruz.

But for the pint-sized playmaker, heart would trump height when it comes to the court.

“Lagi naming sinasabi na di hadlang yung pagiging undersized. Lagi naman kaming lumalaban ng ganun eh,” Cruz said. “It’s all about heart na lang kung pano kami lalaro sa loob.”

READ: WATCH: Get to know Letran’s star guard Mark Cruz in 7 questions

(We always say that us being undersized is not a weakness. We always fight. It’s all about heart, on how we’re going to play inside the court.)

For someone who is playing on his final year, what better way for Cruz to make his mark than to carry Letran back to its former glory.

For him, all he wants is to get back the thunder Letran lost last year, bowing out of the Final Four after two consecutive runner-up finishes.

“We want to reach the Final Four. That’s the main goal,” he said.

READ: NCAA Season 91 preview: Undersized Knights banking on new system

Cruz knows the huge obligation that rests on his shoulders, and he’s more than ready to step up to the plate.

“It’s a huge responsibility for me since it’s my last year,” said the fifth-year guard. “I feel the pressure. The responsibility is huge, but the pressure, I just turn it as motivation for my teammates.”

He also said that the infusion of coach Aldin Ayo’s system helps the Knights be more active on the defensive end, a throwback of sorts to the days of long-time Letran coach Louie Alas.

“We’re more aggressive on defense. From what we did in the preseason, I’m 100-percent definite that we can attain our goal,” he said. “Whatever happens, we’ll fight from start to finish.” CFC