NCAA basketball

Will Gozum wins 3rd Player of the Week as CSB breaks 20-year playoff drought

JR Isaga

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Will Gozum wins 3rd Player of the Week as CSB breaks 20-year playoff drought

TAKE CHARGE. St. Benilde’s Will Gozum gets past the defense of Mapua’s Adrian Nocum (left) and Arvin Gamboa.

NCAA/GMA

NCAA MVP candidate Will Gozum once again takes the Collegiate Press Corps Player of the Week award after leading the CSB Blazers to their first Final Four berth in 20 years

MANILA, Philippines – Time and again, Will Gozum is proving he is simply a cut above the rest in the ongoing NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament.

For the third time, the season’s top MVP candidate bagged the Collegiate Press Corps Player of the Week award – presented by the San Miguel Corporation and the Philippine Sports Commission – for being the main driving force behind the CSB Blazers’ historic return to the Final Four after 20 years.

The team went spotless in three games this week after also defeating the Arellano Chiefs last Sunday, November 20, with the 6-foot-4 big man averaging a double-double of 17.3 points on an efficient 56.2% clip, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.

However, like the last two times he won the weekly award, Gozum is not the least bit interested in any individual fanfare as he zeroes in on his second seniors collegiate championship opportunity after being held out of the rotation with UP in the UAAP.

“For now, I don’t want that MVP thing to get into my head because that just gives more pressure. What I really want is that [twice-to-beat] advantage because it’s one of the biggest steps in reaching the Finals,” he said.

Standing next in the Blazers’ way for their last hurdle of the elimination round is none other than the fourth-ranked San Beda Red Lions, who also still have a shot for twice-to-beat like CSB, LPU, and two-time defending champion Letran.

“Expect us to double our efforts because last round, [San Beda] almost got us so we know they won’t give the win so easily this time,” Gozum said.

The star bruiser cruised over teammate Miggy Corteza, San Sebastian’s Itchie Altamirano, Arellano’s Shane Menina, and San Beda’s James Kwekuteye for the weekly award backed by minor sponsors Tinapayan Festival, MNL Kingpin, and Jockey. – Rappler.com

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