Mark Gojo Cruz —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/DENNIS ABRINA
As a first-year coach of a program that has been beneath the radar for a number of seasons, Perpetual Assist’s Olsen Racela is understandably managing everybody’s expectations.
The legendary playmaker of San Miguel Beer and now an assistant with Barangay Ginebra, Racela is utilizing NCAA Season 100 to construct foundations, enhance his gamers’ expertise and getting the Altas to play the best manner.
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However at three wins in 5 video games, Racela isn’t one to decrease his workforce’s minor successes.
And a type of causes to be joyful is rookie Mark Gojo Cruz.
“He’s been doing nice for us,” Racela mentioned of the previous Junior Altas standout who was a part of of the Perpetual squad that cast a runner-up end in the highschool division final season.
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Gojo Cruz, who had 18 factors, six assists, 5 rebounds, three blocks and two steals in Perpetual’s 73-67 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo in its newest sport, is reaping the advantages of sticking it out with the college’s program.
Gojo Cruz, regardless of affords from different colleges, opted to proceed staying on the Las Piñas-based workforce together with highschool teammates JP Boral and John Abis.
Gojo Cruz is at present averaging 16 factors, six rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2 steals and a block per sport, however Racela is extra excited concerning the rookie’s potential.
“He’s a reliable two-way participant,” the previous nationwide workforce standout and ex-Ateneo star mentioned.
“He lessens the time that coaches must spend determining matchups as a result of everybody in our workforce is aware of he can, and is prepared to, defend the most effective participant of the opposing workforce,” Racela added.
After 5 sturdy performances, the younger Perpetual wing can now not play away from the limelight and is predicted to generate plenty of consideration shifting ahead, together with towards San Sebastian on Tuesday, when the Altas search back-to-back victories.
Gojo Cruz, Boral, Abis and the remainder of the Altas are anticipated to come back out much more centered and work even tougher towards an opponent that has turned heads early this season.
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“The tougher you’re employed, the luckier you get,” Racela mentioned. INQ
