NCAA Finals: Challenged by coach, Will Gozum shows MVP mettle for Benilde | Inquirer Sports

NCAA Finals: Challenged by coach, Will Gozum shows MVP mettle for Benilde

/ 08:16 PM December 13, 2022

Will Gozum CSB Blazers NCAA Finals

College of St. Benilde center Will Gozum after the Blazers’ win over the Letran Knights in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball Finals at Araneta Coliseum. NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—College of St. Benilde star and newly-minted MVP Will Gozum found extra motivation in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball Finals on Sunday.

After the Blazers’ 81-75 loss in the finals opener, CSB coach Charles Tiu lauded Letran center Louie Sangalang for leading the Knights to victory.

Article continues after this advertisement

Sangalang finished with a career-high 24 that went with 10 rebounds to outplay Gozum, drawing high praise from Tiu, who described the bruiser as the MVP of Game 1.

FEATURED STORIES

Tiu’s statement lit the fire in Gozum.

“I challenged myself after that. Louie is heavy and hard to stop so I challenged myself and it worked. Of course, I credit the coaches for that,” said Gozum after Benilde’s 76-71 win in Game 2.

Article continues after this advertisement

Gozum responded with 21 points and 10 rebounds while limiting Sangalang to just 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Article continues after this advertisement

He also hit a tough lefty drive that put the Blazers ahead, 73-71, with 55 seconds remaining.

Article continues after this advertisement

“He made a big basket down the stretch, with his left—and I always tell him he doesn’t have a lefty shot—and he looked like the MVP today,” Tiu said.

“Actually, I work on that (left-handed shot), sometimes that’s really my weakness, but I work on it,” Gozum said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Gozum hopes to lead Benilde to its first NCAA title in 22 years on Saturday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

RELATED STORIES

NCAA Finals: Benilde’s ‘mind games’ catch Letran by surprise in Game 2 win

Benilde fights back vs Letran, forces NCAA title decider

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: CSB Blazers, NCAA, Will Gozum

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.