WILL Gozum is a top three pick in the PBA Season 50 Draft if Juan Gomez de Liaño is to be asked.
The 6-foot-6 Gozum is one of the bigs in this guard-laden draft class in a career that saw him win an NCAA MVP with College of St. Benilde in 2022. But prior to that, Gozum was teammates with Gomez de Liaño at University of the Philippines Integrated School in high school.
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Gomez de Liaño is proud of what his former teammate had accomplished.
“I grew up with Will. We were teammates with Batang Gilas. We were also teammates with UPIS. We basically grew up together, our family are pretty close. He is close to my family and my siblings. And now we are here,” said Gomez de Liano.
“It’s nice to see his growth not just as a player but also as a person as well. To see his maturity throughout the years, when he transferred to CSB, he won MVP and they made it to the finals. He paved the way and made a name for himself. I’m honestly happy with his journey. It’s nice to be here along with him in the PBA,” he added.
Gomez de Liaño has no doubt where Gozum will head in the draft.
“Top three ‘yun for sure. Top two or even one. He has the height and length. He is my guy,” said Gomez de Liano.
The 26-year-old Gozum said he is not thinking about where he would land in the coming draft.
“Sa akin, bonus na lang ‘yung first round eh. Focus lang ako sa present. Hindi ako nago-overthink masyado sa future. Kino-control ko lang ‘yung kaya kong kontrolin,” said Gozum, who is currently playing for the Quezon Huskers in the MPBL.
Gozum applied for the draft after recovering from an ACL injury that kept him out of action for more than a year.
“Nag-enter rin ako kasi sabi ng family ko, gusto nila ako makita sa professional level. Dream nila kasi ito especially ‘yung dad ko, basketball fan talaga siya. Dream talaga niya ito na mapunta sa ganitong level,” said Gozum.
“Doing fine,” said Gozum, when asked about his recovery. “It’s been one year and three months. Happy ako na malakas na tuhod ko.
“Sobrang happy ako na I’m with good people, good environment,” added Gozum in thanking his strength and conditioning coaches for his recovery.
Gozum also attributed his development to his stint with Quezon.
“Sobrang thankful ako lalo na sila coach Eric (Gonzales), coach Ritchie (Ticzon), lahat ng coaching staff ng Huskers sa ginawa nila. Lahat pinu-push nila. Hindi naman sa pag-aano, number one kami sa South," he shared.
"I’m happy na lahat ng pag-pupush nila sa amin, nagagawa namin. Talagang happy ako sa Huskers not just the coaching staff but kasama ‘yung mga bosses namin, management namin."
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