Rhenz Abando left the Smart Araneta Coliseum despondent and surrounded by his teammates.
After a turbulent time a week ago, the 21-year-old experienced the harshest of heartbreaks.
Down by as much as 12 points against La Salle, the 6-foot-2 swingman — who was the center of attention a week ago for the wrong reasons — carried University of Santo Tomas on his shoulders.
“I always tell them na kung ano man iniisip niyo off the court, leave it behind and focus on the game at hand,” UST head coach Aldin Ayo said during Abando’s return to UST after a one-game team-imposed suspension, which he served last Wednesday.
Abando chopped the lead piece by piece with bomb after bomb. Then with eight seconds left, UST was staring at just a three-point lead, 77-80.
Off an inbound, Abando and Ira Bataller smothered Andrei Caracut. The La Salle skipper then turned the ball over which resulted in an Abando-led break.
Already catching fire in the final frame, Abando pulled up from distance, draining a jumper. The Thomasians in attendance went ecstatic.
“‘Di ko rin alam eh. Tulala ako eh,” said Aljun Melecio of that moment.
Unfortunately for the UST team and faithful, though, the shot was a two all along. The tip of Abando’s right shoe was clearly on the three-point line.
The game of inches did not favor Abando.
“Yung stepping, stepping talaga eh. I saw it. That was a good call, pero the rest…” lamented UST head coach Aldin Ayo, as they lost 79-80.
With the game so close, it was not just for Abando to take. But with their season still hanging in the balance, Abando has no other choice but to charge this one to experience.
