Coming off a career-high 29 points in an 87-72 win against the San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Benilde guard Miguel Oczon recognized the trust that his teammates and coaches gave him that led to his outburst.
“I just felt relaxed. I just went with the flow off the game and I am grateful that my shots were falling. My teammates and coaches’ trust were there and I just tried to repay them by making those shots,” said Oczon.
Reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player and Oczon’s frontcourt counterpart Will Gozum was also quick to praise the former NU guard, saying that his performance against the Golden Stags was “Kobe-like”
“Sobrang happy ako kay Oczon. 'Kobe' Oczon siya for me today. 'Yung mga training niya – siya 'yung hardest worker sa'min so sobrang nakakatuwa na nagpepay-off 'yung ginagawa niya sa training. Dahil sa kasipagan niya, lahat naman kami parang natututo sa kanya.”
(I'm happy for Oczon. He's 'Kobe' Oczon for me today. In his training, he's really the hardest worker among us so I'm happy that it pays off. Because of his perseverance, we all learn from him.)
For Benilde head coach Charles Tiu, he said that he is glad that his message before the game got across to the sharpshooter.
“I told him to go out and play basketball because he’s too good of a player. I just told him to make good decisions. So I am happy that he was able to show the level he can play today,” asserted the Blazers mentor.
However, aside from Oczon's scoring clinic, it was the Blazers' ball movement which separated them from San Sebastian, notching a season-high 24 assists.
Now holding a 2-3 win-loss record, Tiu insisted that his squad is now taking it one step at a time.
“It’s nice to finally get a win. We’re trying to pick things up and remind the guys that they’re probably pressuring themselves to try and win a championship. I said just try to forget about the championship right now and focus on one game at a time and just enjoy.”
Oczon, Gozum, and Tiu will look to manufacture a winning streak as they go head-to-head against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas on Tuesday, October 10.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
