Will Gozum, eighth overall pick in the PBA Season 50 Draft, signed a two-year deal with the Phoenix Fuel Masters, where he will reunite with Benilde coach Charles Tiu.
Will Gozum could not help but feel thrilled to reunite with his college coach, Charles Tiu, when the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup gets going.
After fulfilling his duties with the Quezon Huskers in the MPBL, Gozum signed a two-year deal with the Fuel Masters, who will also parade a new tactician in Tiu.
"I'm happy na I'm with coach Charles again and (with JC) Cullar," the eighth overall pick in the Season 50 Draft told One Sports in a text message.
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But being with familiar faces does not necessarily result in a smooth transition, especially with Gozum assuming a small forward position this time.
"But, I think, 'yong opportunity naman na ibibigay niya is mag-ma-matter on how you do sa training. So, basically, I'm playing wing here," said Gozum, who missed the Philippine Cup.
Just like in college, Gozum is giving his full trust in Tiu. Together, they led the Benilde Blazers to the NCAA Finals against Letran, but ultimately fell short.
"I'm trusting coach's system, and I'm confident sa kaniya. I'm really happy na first major pro ko, I'm with my former coach. So mas marami akong matututunan from him kasi sobrang iba sa pro compared sa college ball."
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Gozum's arrival gives Phoenix a big boost in its bid to crack the playoffs for the first time since Best Import Johnathan Williams willed the team to the Season 48 Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals.
Now, Phoenix will lean on James Dickey when the reinforcement-laden mid-season conference unfurls on March 11.
Dickey will see a familiar face in the league in Ginebra import Justin Brownlee, as they used to play together for Pelita Jaya in Indonesia.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.