Bong Galanza was just two seconds away from winning it for the NLEX Road Warriors, Friday night.
After the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters read their play originally designed for Poy Erram, Galanza took matters in his own hands. He pulled the trigger from beyond the arc to try and give his side the narrow victory.
Unfortunately, Calvin Abueva timed his jump well and swatted it away.
Abueva and the Fuel Masters won, 83-82, to collect their fifth straight win. They also retain their spot at the top of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup standings. All in all, this has been Phoenix’s best start ever in the franchise’s young history.
“Yung final play kasi, setup yun kay Poy Erram. So noong napunta sa akin, wala na akong choice kung hindi ititira ko na. Sa akin napunta eh,” the 6-foot-2 guard recalled.
“I think clean block kaya ganoon talaga. Honest. Ganoon talaga, na-block eh.”
Friday’s missed game-winner marked the second time this conference that Galanza failed to convert in the end-game. The first incident was back in January 23 versus TNT KaTropa, when he missed a potential game-tying triple.
But instead of dwelling on the frustration, the shooting guard out of University of the East remains firm, believing that his missed opportunities will only help him become a much better player in the future.
“Pati nung UE pa ko ganyan na eh. Ang daming mga chance sa’kin, mga last shot na ‘di ko naipapasok,” recalled Galanza, the 46th overall pick by the now-NorthPort Batang Pier back in the 2015 Rookie Draft.
“Siguro may purpose ‘to, para mas paghandaan ko pa, para kapag dumating ulit ako sa point na kailangan ko na i-shoot, ma-make ko na.”
