When Will Gozum made his way into the Meralco Gym, he looked relieved. It was as if he had lost a chip on his shoulder.
Last Thursday, the 6-foot-6 big man made his intentions known that he will enroll in the University of the Philippines. It is a homecoming of sorts, as he used to study at UPIS before transferring to Mapua High School.
It was a childhood dream for Gozum, brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano, and UPIS standout Jaggie Gregorio to play together in college and end UP’s three decade-long championship drought in Men’s Basketball.
“Nandun si Gregorio, mga Gomez De Liaño, magkakasama ulit kami. Nung high school pa lang sinasabi n namin na balak taalaga namin is mag-champion ‘pag college. Yun talaga,” the 18-year-old confessed after Monday night’s Gilas practice ended.
“Babalik at babalik talaga.”
“Yun talaga yung dream namin, to play together sa college. Will came in UPIS third year high school,” added Season 80 Rookie of the Year Juan.
“We’ve been talking na let’s try to play rin sa college, let’s try to give them a championship.”
It took some time for Gozum to choose between UP, the National University, and the University of Santo Tomas, as all of those teams have potential to win the big one in the next five years. The Bulldogs have a team built for the future with Jonas Tibayan, JV Gallego, John Lloyd Clemente, Shane Menina, and Issa Gaye. Meanwhile, the Growling Tigers have revamped their staff ,with Aldin Ayo and Mapua Red Robins coach Randy Alcantara.
But being with Juan every Monday in Gilas helped woo him to come back home.
“Lagi binubulong ni Juan sa ‘kin, ‘Will, UP’,” Gozum quipped.
“Sobrang bait ng dalawang yan [Juan and Javi]. Kahit nung nasa Mapua ako, sinusubaybayan nila ako. Yung game ko kung pangit, pinabawi nila ako. Kahit down ako, pinupush pa rin nila ako,” the young buck admitted.
“Sila rin yung dahilan kung bakit talaga ako babalik sa UP.”
Besides this, Gozum wants to repay UP for the wonderful years they gave him during high school.
“Okay lang. Yung support pa rin nila coach Bo [Perasol] at yung buong UP community sa akin nandun pa rin,” he expressed.
“Yun nga, nakakalambot ng puso kahit ganun, tinanggap pa rin nila ako.”
