Benilde's Will Gozum, Migs Oczon relish experience playing with ex-NBA players in Strong Group

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde's Will Gozum and Migs Oczon are making the most of their time playing with former NBA players while being in Strong Group, the team representing the Philippines in the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Tournament.

Gozum and Oczon are playing with the likes of Nick Young, Shabazz Muhammad, and Renaldo Balkman for the Dubai tilt which will start on Friday.

For Gozum, the reigning NCAA MVP, the lessons they are getting from playing with the imports will be useful for their stints in the Taft-based squad.

"It was a good experience, sina [Renaldo] Balkman, sina Nick [Young], Shabazz [Muhammad], NBA players sila so sobrang different 'yung level nila sa amin. Especially sa'kin and kay Oczon, a young guy, marami pa kaming matutunan at madadala sa mother team namin," Gozum told GMA Integrated News on Wednesday.

"Sobrang ie-enjoy namin ang experience na 'to kasi ang daming athlete na gusto pumunta sa ganitong lagay pero kami, nandito na kami so i-take namin 'yung opportunity."

("It was a good experience, Balkman, Nick, Shabazz, they are NBA players so they are playing at a very different level from the rest of us. Especially for me and Oczon, a young guy, we have a lot to learn and we can bring that back to our mother team... We are going to enjoy this experience a lot, because there are so many athletes who would like to be in this situation, but we are already here so we'll take the opportunity.")

For Oczon, playing with them as part of Strong Group — which is also coached by his mentor in the collegiate ranks, Charles Tiu — is a rare opportunity.

"It's a surreal experience pero me as a player, I just want to learn from them. I know marami akong male-learn sa kanila. Very grateful ako sa opportunity na binigay ni Lord and ni Coach Charles sa'kin," said Oczon.

("It's a surreal experience, but for me as a player, I just want to learn from them. I know there's a lot I can learn from them. I'm very grateful for the opportunity that I was given by the Lord and by Coach Charles.")

The Benilde shooter said he already learned some new things while playing with the imports, especially with regards to being mature and confident on the floor.

"It's more of being mature, giving importance sa maliliit na bagay, communication sa court, pagiging efficient sa loob, being confident with yourself. 'Yun 'yung nakikita ko sa kanila, sobra 'yung kumpiyansa nila sa sarili nila."

("It's more of being mature, giving importance to the little details, communication on the court, being efficient, being confident with yourself. That's what I see from them, their confidence in themselves.")

Strong Group will open their campaign in the Dubai tilt on Friday.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News