Mark Cruz

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Lu and the surname or paternal family name is Cruz.

Mark Lu Cruz (born July 27, 1992) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the South Cotabato Warriors franchise of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and Pilipinas Super League (PSL). He earned the moniker Ant Man during his days in the NCAA.^[1]

Mark Cruz

No. 9 – GenSan Warriors
Position	Point guard
League	MPBL / PSL
Personal information
Born	(1992-07-27) July 27, 1992 (age 32) Quezon City, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Listed height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Listed weight	150 lb (68 kg)
Career information
High school	Letran (Manila)
College	Letran
PBA draft	2015: 3rd round, 30th overall pick
Selected by the Star Hotshots
Career history
2015–2016	Star Hotshots
2016	Phoenix Fuel Masters
2017–2018	Blackwater Elite
2019–2020	Pampanga Giant Lanterns
2021	Bicol Volcanoes
2022–present	GenSan / South Cotabato Warriors
Career highlights and awards
NCAA Philippines champion (2015) NCAA Philippines Finals Most Valuable Player (2015) NCAA Philippines Three-point Shootout Champion (2015)

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]

References

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