Will Gozum continues to bring in monster numbers for the league-leading College of Saint Benilde in the National Collegiate Athletics Association Season 98 men’s basketball competition.
In fact, the 6-foot-7 bruiser reset his career-high offensive output last Wednesday against the defense-oriented Jose Rizal University.
Gozum poured a new personal-best 34 points on 13-of-17 shooting from the field, imposing his will inside the shaded lane and getting the shots he wanted as the Blazers blew out the Heavy Bombers, 92–79.
His feat came a week after his 25-point explosion against Mapua University, 85-72, last 19 October.
The 23-year-old Gozum’s impressive showing earned him another as Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week presented by San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Sports Commission.
Gozum, who became the first player this season to be feted with the citation given by reporters from newspaper and online publications twice, didn’t look into his career-high that much as he thinks anyone of his teammates can deliver at any given game.
“I’m happy with my new career-high but hopefully we can sustain our momentum as a team. Maybe it was just my lucky day, but I know anyone from our team can also do the same for us to win,” Gozum said.
Saint Benilde head coach Charles Tiu, though, is expecting more from his prized big man as the Taft crew continues its bid to catch the Final Four bus for the first time since 2002.
“It is (what I’m looking for in Will) except for the turnovers. He really carried up but he still had seven turnovers and zero assists,” Tiu said.
“His turnovers are mind-boggling so I guess we have to improve on his passing but he still played a great game and I tip my hat off to him. He was really good in this game.”
The fourth year big man edged Arellano University’s Cade Flores, San Beda University’s Tony Ynot, San Sebastian College’s Rhinwil Yambing, and Letran’s Louie Sangalang for the weekly honor supported by minor sponsors MNL Kingpin, Tinapayan Festival, and Jockey.