Almost four years ago, Will Gozum and Warren Bonifacio were playing together for Mapua University in the NCAA juniors basketball tournament. Fast forward to today, and the two find themselves in the same arena again, but for different teams.
Gozum and Bonifacio bannered the Red Robins back in NCAA Season 92 and 93, where the 6-foot-6 Gozum was hailed as the MVP before he decided to commit to UP in the UAAP.
After two years in Diliman, Gozum returned home to the NCAA, but chose De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde as his collegiate team.
In their recent matchup on Wednesday, Gozum admitted that he relished the chance to play against his old friend Bonifacio, who is now the linchpin of the Cardinals in the ongoing Season 98.
"Nakakatuwa kasi dati ko siyang teammate and grabe si Boni, ang bigat eh," said Gozum, who steered the Blazers to an 85-72 win over Mapua.
"Syempre since high school, teammate na kami so medyo alam niya 'yung laro ko, alam ko rin 'yung laro niya."
Both Gozum and Bonifacio led their respective squads in today's game.
Gozum finished with 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and one block. Bonifacio, on the other hand, registered a team-high 21 points, six boards, four assists, and two steals in the loss.
The two dueled each other in the first half with both contributing 15 points apiece and shooting 5-for-8 from the field over the first two periods.
—JMB, GMA News
