De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde had the reputation of being the heartbreak kids of the NCAA. But on Tuesday, the Blazers finally flipped the script as they made their way to the Season 98 Finals after booting out San Beda University in their Final Four clash.
And bruising big man Will Gozum is eager to complete their magical run this season as a way of honoring the former Benilde players that came before them like Carlo Lastimosa, Paolo Taha, Jonathan Grey, and Justine Gutang.
"Ang goal namin simula sa reserve hanggang starter is gusto naming mag-champion. Sobrang happy namin," Gozum said following their 62-61 escape of the Red Lions.
"20 years before mag-Finals tapos nandito ulit kami. 'Yung mga nauna sa amin, para sa kanila itong Finals na ito."
("Our goal, from the reserves to the starters, is we want to become champions. We are very happy... It's been 20 years before we could make the Finals again and we're here now. For those who came before us, this Finals is for them.")
The Blazers last won a championship in 2000 while their last Final Four and Finals appearance came in 2002, when the Taft crew fell to San Sebastian College-Recoletos. Those teams were led by the likes of former NCAA MVP Sunday Salvacion and Jondan Salvador.
Gozum, a strong frontrunner for this season's MVP award, said they will now give it their all in their bid to go all the way.
"Sobrang halaga sa amin ito kasi 'yung momentum namin nandoon. Hopefully hanggang makalaban namin kung sinong papasok sa kabila, pagtatrabahuan talaga namin," added Gozum.
"Pagbubutihin namin para sa kanila and hopefully makuha namin yung championship."
("It's very important to us because the momentum is here. Hopefully, until we face whoever advances from the other matchup, we'll work hard for this... We will do our best for them and hopefully we can win the championship.")
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
