Will Gozum is definitely at the front of the pack with regard to winning the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball MVP award.
The three-time Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week is currently averaging 17.17 points, 9.61 rebounds, 1.83 assists, and 1.11 blocks per game.
More importantly, he has led College of Saint Benilde to places it has never been in over the past two decades — the Final Four and a top two elims finish.
But Gozum remains hungry, wanting more.
“Next goal naman, manalo kami para mag-Finals naman. Ilang years na since huling nag-Finals, 20 years. Hopefully, maka-finals kami,” said Gozum, who is in his fourth playing year in collegiate basketball.
“Siguro pag nag-champion kami, di lang kami yung happy, buong community. Kapag individual award lang, ako lang masaya dun. Unfair naman sa iba so gusto ko buong community,” he continued about the possibility of winning MVP.
On Tuesday, Gozum and the Blazers nabbed the second twice-to-beat advantage in the post-season after beating San Beda, 82-73.
Another incentive they got was that San Beda is bound for a Final Four clash against reigning back-to-back champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Gozum tallied 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field with 10 rebounds and two blocks.
Despite having a shaky start in the game that saw him shoot just 1-of-6 from the field, his coaches never lost faith in him.
“Dahil kila coach yun, binibigyan nila ako ng confidence. Kahit bad game ako, binibigyan nila ako ng shift sa laro. Yung trust nila sa akin nandoon. Sobrang thankful ako sa coaches namin talaga,” shared the former UP Fighting Maroon.
And definitely, Gozum can’t wait to return to the gym and prepare for the final stage of the tournament.
“Papahalagahan namin ito. Di namin ite-take easy yung kung sino man yung makakalaban namin sa playoffs. Trabaho ulit kami bukas. Back to work agad,” he said.
“Yung experience namin dito, yung atmosphere, sa Final Four ganoon pa rin, bibigay pa rin namin yung best namin.”
