Mark Cruz

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Mark Cruz
Phoenix Fuel Masters
Position Point guard
League Philippine Basketball Association
Personal information
Born (1992-07-27) July 27, 1992 (age 31)
Quezon City, Philippines
Nationality Filipino
Listed height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Listed weight 150 lb (68 kg)
Career information
High school Colegio de San Juan de Letran
College Colegio de San Juan de Letran
NBA draft 2015 / Round: 3 / Pick: 30th overall
Selected by the Star Hotshots
Playing career 2015–present
Career history
2014 Blackwater Sports (PBA D-League)
2014 Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Giants (PBA D-League)
2015 Cagayan-Gerry's Rising Suns (PBA D-League)
2015–2016 Star Hotshots
2016–present Phoenix Fuel Masters
Career highlights and awards

Mark Lu Cruz (born July 27, 1992) is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Phoenix Fuel Masters of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He is the smallest active player in the league today, earning the moniker Ant Man.[1]

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 archnemesis 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] On 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 is Jimmy Alapag. He took up a degree in Operations Management and hopes to start a business someday.[11]

References

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Preceded by NCAA Men's Basketball Finals Most Valuable Player
2015
Succeeded by
incumbent