MANILA, Philippines–Some dreams are too big to let go of.

Will Gozum had one of his biggest dreams taken from him a year ago, but now, he’s back in the expedition, hoping to make it come to fruition.

READ: Will Gozum, Geo Chiu lead final PBA Draft roster

For the former collegiate star, getting to the PBA was Apollo 11—it was landing on the moon.

Everything he did during his career with the College of St. Benilde was to prepare himself for the flight to stardom.

Sure, he had a few mistakes before liftoff; he was never really a collegiate champion and he had a forgettable final year with the Blazers, but he had the foundation and makings of a PBA player.

During his last hurrah with the College of St. Benilde, he fed his hunger for experience, joining the Quezon Huskers in the MPBL so coming out of college, he was gritty, sturdy and a reliable presence in the paint.

Gozum, who averaged 16.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game for the Blazers in 2022, was cleared for takeoff for the 2024 PBA Draft but he wasn’t quite a Neil Armstrong nor a Buzz Aldrin.

READ: PBA Draft prospect Will Gozum attributes development to ex-coach

Instead of successfully launching his way to the desired destination, he crashed and burned in one of the most trying times of his career.

Scrubbed launch

On May 25, 2024, Gozum’s world—as he put it—crumbled.

“When my knees popped, of course I was in denial, at first. I just thought, ‘well, I’ll just recover.’ However, I was playing professionally so I needed to get it checked out,” the former Blazers standout told the Inquirer.

“In the graph, it really didn’t show a 100% tear but again, I was a professional and this game is really competitive so I had to get it operated on.”

“When that happened, parang gumuho ‘yong mundo ko.”

When Gozum suited up for the Huskers in a game against Batangas on May 25, all he had in mind was to contribute for Quezon.

READ: Benilde star Will Gozum declares for PBA Draft

College of St. Benilde Blazers’ Will Gozum.–Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

With the Huskers fans backing him up at Quezon Convention Center, Gozum was primed and ready to help his squad get to the win column.

It certainly looked that way for a time. With 1:06 to go in the game, the Huskers led Batangas, 67-65, Gozum made a steal and a dime to the wide-open Gab Banal on the fastbreak to put them up, 69-65.

Gozum, though, didn’t celebrate or pump his fist when it all happened. He was, instead, on the floor, clutching his knees.

He had to be stretchered off the court, grimacing in pain and cripppled by the fear of not knowing what was ahead of him.

The Huskers eventually won the game, but that was far from Gozum’s mind.

READ: Will Gozum finds MVP form for streaking Benilde

What looked like just another test flight saw the NCAA Season 98 MVP lose a crucial part of his spacecraft.

“Those were the types of challenges that come in your life to really test you. You wouldn’t like it but you were just getting tested,” he said in Filipino.

Cleared for liftoff. Again

So Gozum waited. As much as it pained him to do so, he went under the knife and back to the lab to work on his game even more.

The bigger sting for Gozum was the fact that it happened just two months before the 2024 PBA Draft.

What was originally supposed to be a two-month wait turned into a full calendar year of recovering, contemplating and planning.

READ: Will Gozum motivated by coach’s ‘we suck, overrated’ tweet

Now, the time is getting closer for Gozum to try and reach for the moon once again. This time, he’s mentally prepared for whatever the result may be.

“No matter the challenges or struggles you may have, when you love something, you’ll keep doing it. I love basketball. This is my passion and I’ll stick to this.”

“I just couldn’t let it go. For me, those challenges I had, I just got over them.”

Gozum has no time to think of his failed launch from a year ago. He has thrown his hat in the 2025 PBA Draft, and all he has to do is wait.

While it’s highly unlikely for him to slide into the second or third round or even go undrafted, the 6-foot-4 bruiser is aware of the possibilities.

READ: Challenged by coach, Will Gozum shows MVP mettle

He’s not aiming to be chosen high. He just wants to showcase his love for the game on the biggest stage of Philippine basketball.

Whatever happens after that will be something Gozum is physically, mentally and emotionally ready for.

“Coming to the pros, I know my number one weapon is my mental toughness. I know I’ve been through worse.”

“Physically, I feel like I can handle it there. Mentally, I have a foundation already. Whether I’m picked high or low, that’s just a bonus for me.”

Gozum will be in attendance for the Season 50 Draft happening on September 7, and this time, he’s hoping to finally land on the moon and leave his footprints there.