L-Jay Gonzales has emerged as Far Eastern University’s go-to guy.
In the Tamaraws’ last two wins, the graduating guard knocked crucial back-to-back baskets against both Ateneo de Manila University and Adamson University to lead FEU to two consecutive victories in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Gonzales scored four points to give the Tamaraws a four-point cushion with 16 seconds left in the game against the Soaring Falcons.
He eventually finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.
FEU went on to win 49-46, improving its record to 2-4 in the standings.
“Yung dalawang sunod-sunod na shoot ko, wala akong ibang nasa isip kundi ma-shoot yung bola. Yun lang naman lagi kong nasa isip eh – ma-shoot yung bola.
“Kasi yun naman yung gusto ni coach sa akin – yung makakuha kami ng foul or maka-shoot ako. Yun lang naman lagi yung ni-re-remind sa akin,” said the former Baby Tamaraws standout, who trains in the off-season with Better Basketball.
What made Gonzales’ interventions more special was the fact that he suffered what looked like a game-ending accident with 4:17 to go in the game.
Adamson’s Cedrick Manzano fouled him while he was going for a lay-up. He then hit the LED board, remaining down for a long time.
Gonzales eventually returned in the later stages of the payoff period, and the rest is history.
While the pain was still there, it was his determination to win that drove him.
“Siguro sa akin, hindi ko iniisip yung ganung sitwasyon kasi gusto namin manalo. Gusto namin makuha yung second win namin. Wala. Nagtrabaho lang kami hanggang sa matapos yung game. Dumipensa lang kami. Yun lang naman yung gusto ng coaches sa amin eh – dumipensa hanggang sa dulo,” said Gonzales.
“Masakit din pero mawawala din siguro kase may therapy naman.”
FEU coach Denok Miranda admitted that the team leaves it up to Gonzales when the Tamaraws struggle to convert baskets. It explains why there were times when the San Mateo, Isabela-native had isolation plays designed for him.
While the pressure of being the team’s main offensive option could be overwhelming, he prefers to relish the responsibility.
“Unang-una siguro, sa mga coaches kasi lagi naman akong na-re-remind na, ayun nga, binibigay sa akin yung tiwala. Yung tiwalang yun, hindi ko sinasayang kasi ito nga, last year ko na,” said Gonzales.
“Gusto kong i-prove sa mga coaches na yung binibigay nilang ganung sitwasyon sa akin, kailangan kong i-prove sa kanila na magagawa ko yung ganung sitwasyon.”
