By Vivem Soriano
Eagle News Service
Former UP Integrated School standout and reigning NCAA Juniors MVP Will Gozum has decided to return to UP after leading the Mapua Red Robins to a championship and a runner-up finish the past two seasons.
This was announced by the UP Men’s Basketball team through their Twitter account which was later confirmed by head coach Bo Perasol.
Gozum played the last two seasons for the Mapua Red Robins after being cut from the UPIS varsity team where he was teammates with now UP standouts Javi and reigning UAAP Rookie of the Year Juan Gomez de Liano.
He led the Mapua Jrs team to a championship in Season 92, then bagged the MVP plum in Season 93 with averages of 13.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks.
The 6’6″ center led Mapua again to the finals of Season 93 but ultimately lost in an epic 3-game finals against St. Benilde-La Salle Greenhills.
The UP Fighting Maroons, who for years have been basketball laughingstock, have suddenly become a serious Final Four contender in the upcoming UAAP season with the arrival of high profile recruits.
After a surprising 5th place finish in Season 80 with a 6-8 record, the Fighting Maroons will now have a loaded lineup for Season 81.
UP will now banner a team led by clutchman and team captain Paul Desiderio, the prolific brothers Javi and Juan Gomez de Liano, guard Jun Manzo and with the now Season 81-eligible recruits import Bright Akhuetie, former Adamson standout Jaydee Tungcab, Fil-Am David Murell and now prolific young big man Will Gozum.
