Gozum leads MVP race

College of Saint Benilde big man Will Gozum made his case as the favorite to win the Most Valuable Player plum, posting big numbers after the elimination round of Season 98 National Collegiate Athletic Association men's basketball tournament.

In guiding the Blazers back to the Final Four after a two-decade wait, Gozum leads in scoring after tallying 17.17 points after playing 18 games in the elimination round.

Gozum is also fifth in rebounding with 9.61 boards and third in blocks with 1.11 per game in his second season with Saint Benilde.

Distant second is Axel Doromal with a 16.0 scoring clip, while James Kwekuteye of San Beda with 15.61 points.

Two other Blazers are in the top 10 scorers of the league with Miggy Corteza at fifth (13.39 points) and Migs Oczon at eighth (11.94 points).

Meanwhile, Rookie of the Year frontrunner Cade Flores of Arellano University leads the rebounding department with an average of 10.07 boards to go with 11.94 points, seventh-best in the league.

While getting the most coveted individual award would be nice, Gozum said he would rather win the NCAA championship with Saint Benilde, which last tasted glory in 2000.