Green Archer dies in cage exhibition

Fil-American Miguelito "Migs" Gozum, a member of the La Salle Green Archers for three years, died yesterday afternoon after an exhibition match at the La Salle Sports Center on Taft Avenue, Manila. He was 21.

Gozum donned the Green Archers uniform for three UAAP seasons starting in 1999 but failed to make the varsity team in the just-concluded basketball season because of appendicitis. He also played for ICTSI-La Salle in two previous conferences of the Philippine Basketball League.

Witnesses said Gozum suffered a bad fall during an exhibition match between the La Salle training team and the Engineering squad as part of the school’s Engineering Week celebrations.

He was rushed by La Salle coach Franz Pumaren and team members at about 1 p.m. to the nearby Manila Sanitarium. An autopsy was held late yesterday to determine the exact cause of his death.

Gozum graduated from Balboa High School in San Francisco, California and was, at the time of his death, a third year student in Management of Financial Institutions. He was the son of former pro cager Greg Gozum, who suited up for Teffilin in the 1981-82 seasons of the PBA.

Pumaren said he had called up the father in residence in San Francisco. He said the elder Gozum will take the first available flight to Manila.

A wake will be held at the La Salle Taft.