Benilde's Mycah Go, Gayle Pascual, Will Gozum thankful for Collegiate Press recognition

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde student-athletes Mycah Go, Gayle Pascual, and Will Gozum said they were grateful as the Collegiate Press Corps recognized their efforts and achievements during its Awards Night on Monday in Quezon City.

Go and Pascual were top NCAA Volleyball Players of the Year for the past two athletic seasons, while Will Gozum was part of the basketball mythical selection for last year, along with Colegio de San Juan de Letran's Louie Sangalang and UAAP players Malick Diouf, Ange Kouame, and Jerom Lastimosa.

"Thankful po kami for the opportunity and recognition na binigay sa' min tonight," Pascual said on Monday.

("We are thankful for the opportunity and recognition given to us tonight.")

"Paminsan-minsan lang [ito] as a player so thankful din kami na na-recognize kami," echoed Season 97 MVP Go.

("This is rare for a player so we're thankful that we were recognized")

Meanwhile, Season 98 MVP Gozum said he was elated to be part of the mythical selection.

"Siyempre happy ako dahil kasama ako sa five na 'yun. Hopefully sa mga next na event, kasama ulit ako," said the Benilde big man.

("Of course, I'm happy because I was included in that five. Hopefully in the next events, I'm still part of it.")

While Gozum is currently nursing a fractured finger, Go said the recovery from her ACL injury has been progressing.

"'Di pa ready. Still recovering pa, fourth month ko na eh, so getting better na," said Go. "Ipu-push ko po sana abot by season."

("Not yet ready. Still recovering. This is my fourth month so it's getting better. I'll push it, and hopefully I can make it back this season.")

For Pascual, meanwhile, the hard work continues for the Lady Blazers who aim to complete a three-peat in NCAA women's volleyball.

"Same pa rin po preparation kasi may incoming games din kami. Sabi nga ni Coach [Jerry Yee], tuloy lang trabaho namin," the former finals MVP said.

"Nandiyan na kami and ilang beses lang sa Benilde [puwede] mag-three-peat sa volleyball so gugustuhin namin, pero 'yun nga sabi ni Mycah, work hard pa rin talaga."

("The preparation is the same because we have some incoming games. Like Coach said, the work continues... We're right there and how many times will Benilde have a chance to three-peat in volleyball, so we really want it. But like Mycah said, we have to work hard.")

Go and Pascual's counterparts in the UAAP during the awards night were Bella Belen of National University and fellow Taft Avenue standout Angel Canino of De La Salle University.

NCAA Season 99 is expected to start in September.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News