From head coach Olsen Racela to assistant coaches Johnny Abarrientos and Denok Miranda, there really is no denying that the current batch of FEU Tamaraws is indeed lucky to be in the presence of such greatness.
L-Jay Gonzales knows it all so well.
“Sobrang swerte po namin kasi PBA legend na po yung nagtuturo samin. Ang sarap ng feeling na sila yung nagtuturo sa’min,” said the 20-year-old.
“At maganda yung pinagagawa nila kaya sumusunod talaga kami.”
That is why Gonzales is relishing such opportunity to learn from those greats. And so far in the 2019 PBA D-League, the explosive 5-foot-10 guard is seemingly translating those lessons into commendable outings for Chadao-FEU.
On Thursday, Gonzales unloaded an all-around performance of 14 points, five rebounds, four steals, and two assists in 20 minutes to help Chadao-FEU go back to its winning ways by obliterating The Masterpiece-Trinity, 106-81.
Racela though said that he’s still looking for maturity from Gonzales, but that didn’t stop him from singing praises.
“We just need consistency from him,” said Racela. “Last two games, hindi maganda ang nilaro niya so he has to be consistent. Ang effort nandoon naman lagi kay LJay. Yung maturity na lang ang hinahanap namin.
“L-Jay naman, he’s the future of FEU.
“We want to bring him in slowly. Last year he played behind two guards ngayon he shares the backcourt with Hubert [Cani]. Hindi naman namin siya minamadali,” the decorated Racela added.
Gonzales, meanwhile, vowed that he will be working on what he needs to work on, now that he’s aware of the amount of responsibility he has on his shoulders.
“Opo lumalaki na rin [responsibilidad] kasi iniisip ko last year na parang ‘di ako gamit then sinabi ko sa sarili ko na wala na yung graduating players kaya kailangan ko mag-step up. Magtrabaho lang ako ng magtrabaho.”
