Will Gozum looks forward to giving his best for Phoenix

The road to the PBA took some time, but eventually, Will Gozum made it after being picked by Phoenix last Sunday in the PBA Rookie Draft.

Gozum played his final season with De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde in 2023. However, a knee injury in 2024 while playing for the Quezon Huskers in the MPBL put his PBA dreams on hold.

After recovering, the NCAA Season 98 MVP returned to the Huskers, and shortly afterward, submitted his name for the PBA Draft.

Now, after almost a year and a half, Gozum is finally in Asia’s first pro league.

“Sobrang happy ko na na-pick nila ako. Sobrang happy ko na ‘yung trust nila is nandiyan, and I’ll do everything, I’ll do my best na makabawi sa kanila,” Gozum told GMA News Online.

Gozum admitted he had previously feared he might not return to his old form but he just focused on what he could control.

“My mindset before was like that, but it is what it is, eh. Kontrolin ko lang what I can control and let God do the rest. Wala nang ibang ita-trust kundi Siya lang,” he said.

With Phoenix, he will be playing alongside the likes of Jason Perkins and Kai Ballungay — teammates he says he’s excited to work with. Gozum will also be under the guidance of the Fuel Masters’ new head coach, fellow big man Willy Wilson.

“Siguro, ma-co-contribute ko kung anong gusto ipagawa sa’kin ni Coach Willy,” he said.

Fellow first-round pick Juan Gomez de Liaño, drafted by Converge, also described Gozum, his former UP teammate, as a “sleeper pick.”

“Phoenix got a good one,” he said about Gozum.

—GMA Integrated News