Two-way rookie in spotlight as Altas seek second straight win

Mark Gojo Cruz —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/DENNIS ABRINA

As a first-year coach of a program that has been under the radar for several seasons, Perpetual Help’s Olsen Racela is understandably managing everyone’s expectations.

The legendary playmaker of San Miguel Beer and now an assistant with Barangay Ginebra, Racela is using NCAA Season 100 to build foundations, improve his players’ skills and getting the Altas to play the right way.

But at three wins in five games, Racela isn’t one to diminish his team’s minor successes.

And one of those reasons to be happy is rookie Mark Gojo Cruz.

“He’s been doing great for us,” Racela said of the former Junior Altas standout who was part of of the Perpetual squad that forged a runner-up finish in the high school division last season.

Gojo Cruz, who had 18 points, six assists, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals in Perpetual’s 73-67 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo in its latest game, is reaping the benefits of sticking it out with the school’s program.

Gojo Cruz, despite offers from other schools, opted to continue staying at the Las Piñas-based team along with high school teammates JP Boral and John Abis.

Gojo Cruz is currently averaging 16 points, six rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2 steals and a block per game, but Racela is more excited about the rookie’s potential.

“He’s a legitimate two-way player,” the former national team standout and ex-Ateneo star said.

“He lessens the time that coaches have to spend figuring out matchups because everyone in our team knows he can, and is willing to, defend the best player of the opposing team,” Racela added.

After five strong performances, the young Perpetual wing can no longer play away from the limelight and is expected to generate a lot of attention moving forward, including against San Sebastian on Tuesday, when the Altas seek back-to-back victories.

Gojo Cruz, Boral, Abis and the rest of the Altas are expected to come out even more focused and work even harder against an opponent that has turned heads early this season.

“The harder you work, the luckier you get,” Racela said. INQ