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Perps rookie Mark Gojo Cruz set for success, says Altas legend Scottie Thompson

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Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1729682437945IMG_5435.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Perpetual Altas legend and team consultant Scottie Thompson. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol."/>Perpetual Altas legend and team consultant Scottie Thompson. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol.</div>MANILA — University of Perpetual Help System DALTA has made strides in NCAA Season 100 despite dealing with an overhauled system and roster.Led by new head coach, one of the country&#x27;s greatest point guards Olsen Racela, the Altas have managed to stay within hunt of a spot in the men&#x27;s basketball Final Four even with the setbacks that they have faced prior and during the season. The Las Piñas-based cagers are currently sitting at 5-8 in the team standings, tied with Arellano University for the seventh and eighth place, and Perpetual legend Scottie Thompson is seeing the positives amid the up-and-down year that his alma mater is going through. &quot;First season ni Coach O, and of course, andoon na yung expectations ng Perpetual community, but then, marami rin nawalang players sa amin,&quot; said Thompson, who also serves as a team consultant for the Altas. &quot;We&#x27;re happy na yung mga bata eh lumalaban, talagang kinakapos lang kami sa dulo. But overall, I think nadadala na ni Coach O yung experience niya.&quot;<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/10/13/perpetual-ends-4-game-slump-hands-letran-second-straight-loss-1719">READ: Perpetual ends 4-game slump, hands Letran second straight loss</a></div>He also remains patient and optimistic about Perpetual&#x27;s future, especially since leading the charge for the Altas is one of those who also helped him transform into one of the best players in the country.&quot;It&#x27;s a long journey para sa kanya,&quot; Thompson said of Racela, who is also one of his assistant coaches in the PBA with Barangay Ginebra. &quot;&#x27;Di lang naman &#x27;to for this season. Nawalan lang talaga kami ng players, but I think, maganda naman yung naipapakita niya sa mga bata. Namo-motivate niya lahat, second stringers lang nga dati yung mga naglalaro ngayon, kaya I&#x27;m proud kahit kinakapos kami sa dulo, patuloy silang lumalaban.&quot;Aside from Racela, Thompson also hailed Perpetual veteran Chris Pagaran who has been solid for the Altas.&quot;Lagi naman ako na i-impress sa lahat ng players, pero for me, andyan rin si Pagaran,&quot; said Thompson of the 6-foot-2 wingman, who has been delivering 10.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.6 rejections for his squad.&quot;Last season niya na, kaya gusto kong i-push niya yung sarili niya. Gusto ko maganda yung maging career niya after college,&quot; he added.However, it is not a vet, but a rookie who has most impressed  the former NCAA MVP.<div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1729682381351IMG_5434.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Mark Gojo Cruz Perpetual"/>Perpetual Altas young star Mark Gojo Cruz. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol.</div>&quot;Pero of course, andyan rin si Mark Gojo Cruz. Very promising siya,&quot; said Scottie of the former Junior Altas star who has translated his game into the seniors level with 13.2 points — a team-best — on top of 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.8 rejections so far.&quot;Ayoko lagyan ng too much pressure yung bata, pero andyan yung galing niya, kaya sana sooner or later, dumating na yung maturity niya sa game.&quot;READ: Perpetual rookie Mark Gojo Cruz grateful for guidance of Olsen Racela[https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/9/10/perpetual-rookie-mark-gojo-cruz-grateful-for-guidance-of-olsen-racela-1808]Thompson, who was also once a young star who helped Perpetual rise into relevance, understands that Gojo Cruz needs the time to make a name for himself and propel into one of the grand-old league’s household names.  &quot;Siyempre, rookie pa lang siya pero yung pinapakita niya parang beterano na. Pagka down the stretch, balang araw makukuha niya rin yan, yung mag te-take over siya sa game,&quot; raved Thompson. &quot;Pero ayokong bigyan ng too much pressure yung bata. Gusto ko mag enjoy niya muna yung moment niya sa NCAA at sa college career niya,&quot; he added.<div>RELATED VIDEO:</div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABO4NO9_542dpViu&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script>

Perpetual has made strides in NCAA Season 100 despite dealing with an overhauled system and roster, and among those who made this possible is Altas rookie Mark Gojo Cruz.

Perpetual has made strides in NCAA Season 100 despite dealing with an overhauled system and roster, and among those who made this possible is Altas rookie Mark Gojo Cruz.