College of Saint Benilde found a go-to guy in Will Gozum.
The big man showed the way for the Blazers in the opening week of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 98 seniors basketball competition, filling up the statistics sheet with monster numbers as boosted its Final Four bid.
His heroics earned him the nod as the Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week presented by the Philippine Sports Commission.
The 6-foot-6 veteran averaged 17.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and 1.5 assists as the Taft-based squad won its first two games.
Gozum followed it up with another inspired performance in the Saint Benilde’s next two games.
The 23-year-old slotman churned out 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks to will the Blazers to an 81-64 victory over Perpetual.
He then dropped 23 points and 10 rebounds in their next outing against defending champion Letran. Although Saint Benilde lost, 75-81, his effort was more than enough to claim the weekly honor backed by minor sponsors MNL Kingpin, Tinapayan Festival, and Jockey.
Gozum edged the Letran backcourt duo of Fran Yu and Brent Paraiso, San Beda’s James Kwekuteye, and Lyceum’s Mac Guadaña for the award handed by print and online scribes covering the league.
Despite his strong showings, the fourth-year bruiser understands that his work goes beyond the games themselves, as he also has a leadership role to play to help the Blazers end their string of Final Four heartbreaks.
“I’m letting them know na I got their back. I’m trying to let them calm whenever nasa pressure moments kami,” said Gozum, a member of last season’s Mythical Team and Best Defensive Team.
“It’s a long season pa and bonus na lang yung (MVP) for me. I want the bigger chip kasi dun, buong team and community masaya,” he added.
