Will Gozum has yet to play in a preseason game for College of Saint Benilde.
In fact, he has yet to train with the Blazers since the Dubai International Basketball Championship finished last January.
“He hasn’t really been practicing with us lately. I mean, I know we all want him to stay, our managers, our team – everybody really wants him to stay,” said Blazers head coach Charles Tiu.
“But I don’t know if that’s… We will leave it up to him and his family to decide na.”
The reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player is currently with Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball Team Quezon.
And according to Tiu, the 24-year-old big man is pondering on whether to stay with the Huskers and then head to the PBA Rookie Draft afterwards or take his final year with Benilde.
“We still don’t know, to be honest, that’s still all up in the air, where I gave him time to decide to think about it,” Tiu continued.
It will be tough for Benilde to lose Gozum, though, as transferees like Allen Liwag and Justine Sanchez will only be eligible come NCAA Season 100.
So far, not having Gozum has been tough for last season’s runners-up, falling to NCAA rivals Emilio Aguinaldo College, 70-65, in Pinoliga, and 84-94 to San Sebastian College-Recoletos in the Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup.
Whatever Gozum’s decision may be, Tiu will support his ward and will be grateful for helping rebuild the Blazers program.
“I personally feel it will do good for his career, if he stays a little bit longer, and works on his game with us a bit more. But you know, I will respect and support whatever decision he wants.”
