De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde will be without its top player when it takes on Lyceum of the Philippines University on the opening day of the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball tournament on Sunday.
Reigning MVP Will Gozum will sit out the said match due to a one-game suspension he incurred following a disqualifying foul in Game 3 of their Season 98 finals duel against Colegio de San Juan de Letran last December.
Gozum was ejected from the winner-take-all Game 3 after a headbutt against his Letran counterpart Pao Javillonar with 1:44 left in the fourth quarter. Per NCAA rules, a disqualifying four merits a one-game suspension for the following match.
This is a huge blow for the Blazers as Gozum was the team's leading scorer and rebounder from Season 98, averaging 16.73 markers and 9.41 boards alongside 1.68 assists, 1.14 blocks, and 0.56 steals en route to winning the MVP plum.
Without Gozum, Benilde will lean on the leadership of Robi Nayve as well as key players Miggy Corteza and Migs Oczon.
READ MORE | NCAA Season 99 Preview: Intact Benilde Blazers out to fulfill unfinished business
NCAA Season 99 opens on September 24. Watch the games live on GTV.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
