Despite their huge turnaround this season, Will Gozum and College of St. Benilde have struggled against one team – Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Back on September 23, the Blazers lost to the Knights, 81-75. Then two months later, they still could not solve the defending champs, bowing 74-66.
In both games, Letran’s frontcourt – led by Louie Sangalang – gave them fits.
“Mas aggressive lang sila sa amin. For sure mas aaralin namin ‘to ng mga big man.
“Siyempre, di naman rin ako ‘yung bumantay kay Louie Sangalang [and Paolo Javilionar], lahat din kami,” Gozum shared.
Letran’s players have a reputation for intimidating looks and celebrations when they score. But in their second round outing, Gozum had fun facing them – and even wants to meet them in this season’s finals.
He felt astonished by the support of the Knights fans, and now wants to play more in that hostile environment.
“Gusto ko rin, gusto ko rin sila ulit makalaban. ‘Yun nga sobrang solid din ‘yung fans nila, lagi sila sinu-support. And, nakakatuwa ‘yung ganon environment nakakatuwa ‘yung ganon experience,” gushed the former 23-year-old UP Fighting Maroon.
The Blazers did eventually suffer a tough loss in the tightly-contested game, with the NCAA Season 97 Defensive Player finding himself limited to just 12 points. Still, he showed his monstrous side in the rebounding department, with 13 plus an assist.
CSB also fell in the second spot of the standings with a 9-3 win-loss card just above San Beda University.
“Actually, lahat naman for us tough loss kapag natalo. Siguro masasanay lang kami if ganyan ‘yung environment if ever sa playoff or mapunta sa finals. So mas masasanay talaga kami sa environment.”
For the Blazers’ head tactician, Tiu praised Javilionar and Sangalang for defending and limiting Gozum for his play.
Javilionar was also supposed to be part of the Blazers last 2019, as he played with them in the FilOil Preseason Cup before switching to Letran. But Tiu commended Javilionar and Sangalang for the play they displayed throughout the game.
“I think they did a great job defending Will. And, I’m preparing Will every time [Pao] Javilionar guards him; he gets into his head which is what Pao does. Let’s not forget Pao was supposed to play for us in Benilde,” shared Tiu.
“He was playing with us before in the FilOil [Preseason Cup] before Letran took him, so we’re familiar with him. But, he has done a good job stopping Will, really making work for everything also Sangalang – credit to them.”
