Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Ateneo-killer? Mr. 4th Quarter? FEU prefers calling L-Jay Gonzales their ‘Heart and Soul’


L-Jay Gonzales proved that he is this batch’s ‘Mr. Fourth Quarter’ on Wednesday when he made the buzzer-beating game-winner over Ateneo de Manila University.

With the game tied at 59, the senior guard received the inbound pass from Xyrus Torres at the top of the key, but he was faced by 6-foot-4 Chris Koon.

To evade the much-taller Koon, Gonzales leaned in and threw a one-handed three-pointer for Far Eastern University’s third win in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament, 62-59.

Gonzales, who hails from San Mateo, Isabela, revealed post-game that the final shot had always been assigned to him by Tamaraws head coach Denok Miranda — which made it easier for the graduating guard.

UAAP86-MBB-LJ-Gonzales-5946 Ateneo-killer? Mr. 4th Quarter? FEU prefers calling L-Jay Gonzales their 'Heart and Soul' Basketball FEU News UAAP  - philippine sports news

“Lagi naman nire-remind sa akin ni Coach Denok na ako ‘yung titira sa last shot, kaya miracle ‘yung nangyari. Siguro kasi hindi ko naman inexpect din ‘yun na papasok. Nagpapasalamat ako kay God kasi ginabayan niya ako,” said the FEU-Diliman product on his buzzer-beater.

That win boosted the Tamaraws’ bid for a Final Four spot as they improved to 3-5, just a game behind Ateneo, which holds the fourth spot at 4-4.

Miranda, in his first year as the chief tactician of FEU, heaped high praise on Gonzales.

UAAP86-MBB-LJ-Gonzales-FEU-5958 Ateneo-killer? Mr. 4th Quarter? FEU prefers calling L-Jay Gonzales their 'Heart and Soul' Basketball FEU News UAAP  - philippine sports news

“Syempre si L-Jay talaga ang puso at kaluluwa ng FEU,” quipped Miranda.

“Grabe ‘yung nilaro niya ngayon, talagang bumawi siya dahil sa last game namin,” he continued as Gonzales finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

FEU was coming off a 68-62 loss to the University of Santo Tomas, which won its first game in more than a year.

#ReadMore  After surprise run in Doha Masters, Chooks 3x3 looks to join more FIBA tourneys

Gonzales also credited the FEU community for the huge lift they gave to the Tamaraws, especially when the Blue Eagles came back from 10 down with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, 47-57.

“Thankful din kami sa crowd namin kasi sobrang sarap maglaro na ganoon karami ‘yung crowd. Happy kami na nakuha namin ‘yung pangatlong panalo namin,” shared the 25-year-old combo guard.

The Tamaraws will look to further build their case for a spot in the Final Four on Sunday when they face Adamson University at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Written By

Just a kid from Cavite trying to make a difference.




You May Also Like

ADMU

Kean Baclaan delivered the clutch basket, while Mike Phillips powered De La Salle University to a stunning 95-92 victory over Ateneo de Manila University...

AdU

Far Eastern University-Diliman leaned on a career-high performance from MVP frontrunner Cabs Cabonilas to eliminate University of the East from Final Four contention in...

ADMU

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University-Diliman punched their tickets to the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ Basketball Final Four after disposing of separate...

ADMU

National University Nazareth School became the first team to clinch a Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ Basketball Tournament after dismantling...

Basketball

With the UAAP’s new system for individual awards preventing foreign student-athletes from winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honor, a new frontrunner has emerged...

ADMU

National University Nazareth School completed an elimination-round sweep of last season’s Finals rival Adamson University, cruising to a dominant 71-49 victory to remain unbeaten...

Basketball

Far Eastern University-Diliman dominated the 2025 B.League Under-16 Challenge Cup, sweeping the competition in the two-day tournament held at Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium....

Basketball

In a stunning turn of events, Far Eastern University bid farewell to long-time Baby Tamaraws head coach Allan Albano after almost two decades of...

Advertisement