Following a dismal start to the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament which saw it lose five straight games, Far Eastern University is finally on a roll with back-to-back wins over University of Santo Tomas and then erstwhile-league leader National University.
The Tamaraws ground out a narrow 47-44 win over the Bulldogs and key to their success was L-Jay Gonzales, who scored the crucial basket which eventually sealed the victory with 17.6 seconds left in the game.
“Para sa akin, sobrang happy ako. Hindi ko siguro magagawa yung last shot kung hindi binigay sa akin ni coach Olsen [Racela] yung sobrang laking tiwala niya sa akin,” said the 5-foot-10 standout.
“Hindi siguro para sa akin yun (kundi) para sa buong team at sa FEU community.”
FEU coach Olsen Racela emphasized throughout the post-game press conference how hard his boys needed to play defense to outlast the Bulldogs.
Gonzales personified this as he executed the crucial steal that allowed his teammate Bryan Sajonia to extend their team’s lead to 45-40 before he put the finishing touches.
“Siguro, para sa akin, nag-start yun sa defense namin kasi pag hindi kami dumipensa, hindi susunod ang offense namin kaya yun siguro ang una naming ginawa,” said the former Baby Tamaraws star.
With a two-game winning streak, FEU finally has the momentum it needs to revitalize its season.
As the second round will start next weekend, the Tamaraws have ample time to take a breather before they go again,
“Siguro para sa amin, hindi kami magpapabaya sa sarili,” said Gonzales.
“Kung ano yung ginagawa namin sa dorm na extra pag walang ginagawa, siguro yun yung isang way na nakakatulong sa amin yung extra work namin.”
