Every time Will Gozum and Paolo Javilionar face off, there will be tension.
However, things went a little too far during Game One of the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Finals between Colegio de San Juan de Letran and College of Saint Benilde.
At the 4:47 mark of the third period, the television broadcast caught Javilionar touching Gozum on the backside. The scene has since went viral.
And for those who watched the game, it was unethical for some watchers, especially on Gozum.
The presumptive MVP had to say this: “Well, ganon ‘yung ugali niya eh… siguro. Ganon lang ako mag-state. We don’t tolerate that kind of player diba? Well, siguro physicality matatanggap ko, pero ‘yung ganon… like diba?
“Kahit sino namang player parang ma-didismaya sa ganon. But okay lang, tanggap ko naman na kung ganon siya… Well, so be it, ganon ‘yung character niya. Ganon yata siya pinalaki.”
Gozum admitted that he and Javillonar have never been on good terms.
During their encounters, Javilionar would be caught trash-talking Gozum.
For Gozum, this is Javilionar’s tactic to psyche Gozum out. Still, he will let this pass to stay alive next Sunday.
“Nah, nah [we’re not good terms]. Meron times na in game… I don’t know ah. Magsasabi siya sa akin ng kung ano-ano,” said the former UP Fighting Maroon.
“Parang plan ‘yun para sirain ‘yung game ko, pero ‘di mo kailangan sabihin ‘yung ganon bagay. Well, siguro ganon siya pinalaki talaga. I’ll stick to that.”
For Javillonar’s part, his words and actions are just part of the mind game between him and Gozum.
“Hindi po. Kita niyo naman po sa video, wala po,” shared the third year Knight, who committed to Benilde prior to moving to Letran back in Season 95.
“Alam na ni Will yan [na] kulitan lang namin. Mind games lang, mind games.”
