De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde head coach Charles Tiu is hoping that reigning NCAA MVP Will Gozum will return for Season 99 as the 6-foot-7 bruiser remains on the injury list.
According to Tiu, Gozum is currently nursing an injury on his left hand which he sustained in one of their practice sessions, forcing him to miss their campaign in the ongoing FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup. Gozum, who was crowned the top player in the recent NCAA Season 98 basketball tournament, is expected to be out for two or three months.
Tiu added that as of now, Gozum hasn't made a decision yet regarding his return to Benilde with the player having one playing year left in the collegiate ranks.
"[As for] Will, we're still waiting for his decision if he will decide to stay with us. He has a fractured hand so he's out for about two or three more months. Abang abang lang kami, we also don't know," Tiu said after their 94-83 win over Arellano University on Monday.
("Will, we're still waiting for his decision if he will decide to stay with us. He has a fractured hand so he's out for about two or three more months. We're just waiting, we also don't know.")
"Hopefully, he can decide soon so we know how to move forward also. But again, we will support whatever decision he wants."
Aside from Gozum, Miggy Corteza is also out for Benilde due to a quad injury. But Corteza, a key cog in their runner-up finish last season, is tipped to return soon as his quad injury isn't as serious.
"Miggy has a quad injury. I don't know if he'll be able to play by Saturday. So far, it's not too serious," Tiu added.
Benilde is now at 4-2 in the FilOil tiff.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
