VERSATILE College of St. Benilde forward Justin Gutang could have opted to forego his final year with the Blazers and join for the PBA draft.
His loyalty and commitment to lead CSB for one more season should be rewarded with handsome dividends, according to Blazers coach TY Tang.
“(It’s about) loyalty and that is hard to find in today’s world,” Tang told Malaya-Business Insight.
“No one can say when’s a good time and not. What matters is he gets ready and he gets drafted when the time comes,” he added.
The 6-foot-4 Gutang was good for 11.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists for CSB in 2019.
With the Fil-Am Gutang leading the way, the Blazers nearly advanced to the Final Four with a 9-9 card, good for fifth in the 95th season.
CSB lost guard Yankie Haruna, forward Edward Dixon, and guard Carlo Young due to graduation.
Aside from Gutang, guards Unique Naboa, Robi Nayve, and Prince Carlos are all expected to return and lead CSB’s bid next season.
If and when the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases allows, the NCAA intends to kick off its new season, set to be hosted by Letran, with only the four mandatory sports of basketball, volleyball, swimming, and track and field under a school-based bubble concept in the second quarter this year.
The Blazers last reached the Final Four in 2002 and are raring to end a 21-year title drought. They last won the crown in 2000 behind the likes of former pros Sunday Salvacion and Jondan Salvador, and Al Magpayo.
