De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Will Gozum and Migs Oczon are profiting from their time taking part in with former NBA gamers whereas being in Strong Group, the workforce representing the Philippines within the thirty second Dubai International Basketball Tournament.
Gozum and Oczon are taking part in with the likes of Nick Young, Shabazz Muhammad, and Renaldo Balkman for the Dubai tilt which is able to begin on Friday.
For Gozum, the reigning NCAA MVP, the teachings they’re getting from taking part in with the imports will probably be helpful for his or her stints within the Taft-based squad.
“It was a good experience, sina [Renaldo] Balkman, sina Nick [Young], Shabazz [Muhammad], NBA players sila so sobrang different ‘yung level nila sa amin. Especially sa’kin and kay Oczon, a young guy, marami pa kaming matutunan at madadala sa mother team namin,” Gozum informed GMA Integrated News on Wednesday.
“Sobrang ie-enjoy namin ang experience na ‘to kasi ang daming athlete na gusto pumunta sa ganitong lagay pero kami, nandito na kami so i-take namin ‘yung opportunity.”
(“It was a good experience, Balkman, Nick, Shabazz, they are NBA players so they are playing at a very different level from the rest of us. Especially for me and Oczon, a young guy, we have a lot to learn and we can bring that back to our mother team… We are going to enjoy this experience a lot, because there are so many athletes who would like to be in this situation, but we are already here so we’ll take the opportunity.”)
For Oczon, taking part in with them as a part of Strong Group — which can also be coached by his mentor within the collegiate ranks, Charles Tiu — is a uncommon alternative.
“It’s a surreal experience pero me as a player, I just want to learn from them. I know marami akong male-learn sa kanila. Very grateful ako sa opportunity na binigay ni Lord and ni Coach Charles sa’kin,” stated Oczon.
(“It’s a surreal experience, but for me as a player, I just want to learn from them. I know there’s a lot I can learn from them. I’m very grateful for the opportunity that I was given by the Lord and by Coach Charles.”)
The Benilde shooter stated he already realized some new issues whereas taking part in with the imports, particularly almost about being mature and assured on the ground.
“It’s more of being mature, giving importance sa maliliit na bagay, communication sa court, pagiging efficient sa loob, being confident with yourself. ‘Yun ‘yung nakikita ko sa kanila, sobra ‘yung kumpiyansa nila sa sarili nila.”
(“It’s more of being mature, giving importance to the little details, communication on the court, being efficient, being confident with yourself. That’s what I see from them, their confidence in themselves.”)
Strong Group will open their marketing campaign within the Dubai tilt on Friday.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
