NEW Phoenix coach Willy Wilson was on the lookout for a big man in the annual rookie PBA Draft earlier this month.
He got what he wanted at No. 8 overall—and now the ball is on the court of former NCAA MVP Will Gozum to show he belongs in the pro league.
“Sobrang happy ako na na-pick nila ako and the trust na ibinigay nila sa akin is kakaiba. So, hindi ko hahayaan na masayang iyon,” Gozum said. “Feeling ko makakatulong ako kay coach Willy Wilson. Sinabi niya naman sa akin paano niya ako i-de-develop. Sobrang papakinggan ko lang siya.
“Then kung ano ang ipapagawa niya sa akin, iyon ang gagawin ko para makatulong ako sa sila,” he added.
The 6-foot-6 Gozum landed with the Fuel Masters after they curiously shipped their original second choice to the Converge FiberXers for the eighth pick that they used to tab the former University of the Philippines and College of St. Benilde standout.
Converge took ace playmaker Juan Gómez de Liaño with the No. 2 selection behind Terrafirma’s No. 1 pick overall—and another center like Gozum—in 6-foot-9 Geo Chiu.
Gozum, 26, said familiarity with some of his Phoenix teammates, such as Ricci Rivero and Tyler Tio, should help him make his transition to the PBA smoother while also welcoming the pressure to deliver.
“Naging kakampi ko si Ricci. Nakalaban ko si Tyler, pero nakakasama ko si Tyler sa workout,” he said. “For me, iyong pressure is. . . nandiyan lang naman, kasi tao naman tayo. Normal lang ang pressure.
“It’s how you handle the pressure na lang talaga. For me, kung ano ang ipapagawa sa akin ni coach Willy, gagawin ko lang for them.”
Gozum, however, has to cool his heels first before suiting up for the Fuel Masters due to an existing contract with the Quezon Huskers in the MPBL.
