Will Gozum of College of St. Benilde bagged the Most Valuable Player honor in the NCAA Season 98 men's basketball tournament.
Gozum averaged 16.9 points and 9.8 rebounds to power the Blazers and help his squad reach their first NCAA Finals in two decades.
Gozum, who is also a former NCAA Juniors MVP when he was still with the Mapua Red Robins, bested the likes of Mythical Five members in Cade Flores of Arellano, JB Bahio and James Kwekuteye of San Beda, as well as King Caralipio of Letran.
He became the first player from CSB to capture the award since Sunday Salvacion and Jay Sagad won it in 2002 and 2005, respectively.
Meanwhile, Flores both captured the Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Arellano big man ousted CSB sharpshooter Migs Oczon.
Flores also joined Bahio, Gozum, Romel Calahat of San Sebastian and Mark Omega of Perpetual big man in completing the Defensive Team.
Shawn Umali of Lyceum, for his part, notched the Most Improved Player honor.
The awarding ceremony was held before the 3 p.m. Game 2 Finals tipoff between Letran and CSB, which is being played at press time.