Miguel Oczon will definitely play for College of Saint Benilde this upcoming NCAA season.
That is the assurance given by Blazers head coach Charles Tiu, denying rumors that the 6-foot 3-and-D guard has already signed with KBL team Ulsan Hyundai Mobis.
“Rumors are just rumors.
“He is definitely going to play for us this NCAA season. He is committed. I don’t really know where the rumors are coming from,” said Tiu after CSB’s 78-89 loss to Corsa in Asiabasket on Friday.
A few days after RJ Abarrientos secured his transfer from Ulsan to Shinshu, rumors swirled that Oczon has already signed with the Phoebus.
Though not denying that there is interest in Oczon, Tiu emphasized that nothing is set in stone yet.
“I’m sure there is interest in him, there is interest even kay Will Gozum. From last year, meron na,” continued Tiu.
“I can assure you that they will play for us this NCAA season.”
Oczon still has two years of eligibility left in the NCAA.
Last season, the 23-year-old product of National University Nazareth School was the third best scorer of the Blazers, averaging 11.75 points to go with 4.9 rebounds and 2.35 assists per game.
“We talk about it a lot. It’s our dream and goal to bring them there one day but he is not signing anything with anybody. He is focused with us this season. We are trying to win a championship and he is fully committed to that,” he said.
Tiu though is unsure whether Oczon will still be around for his final year come NCAA Season 100.
By then, Benilde will also have guards like Tony Ynot and Jhomel Ancheta waiting in the wings.
“We have a lot of recruits coming in. Our manager Frank Lao has recruited a lot of guards for us. We have a lot of pieces that can replace him but it’s definitely hard to fill his shoes.”
(Jose Gabriel Ignacio)
