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.
“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.
“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.
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.
