It could have been a storybook ending to TY Tang’s comeback party to the hardwood.
Tang, who last played competitive ball in 2016 with Mighty Sports, made two freebies to put Go for Gold Scratchers on top, 103-102, in the last 16.6 ticks of their clash with the JRU Heavy Bombers on Tuesday at Ynares Arena in Pasig.
His heroic deeds, however, was denied, no thanks to the clutch basket made by Heavy Bombers guard Paolo Pontejos with about seven seconds left in the game to lift JRU to a 104-103 victory.
“Akala ko nga… I was thinking of a Cinderella-story at that point in time. Last shot, ‘di ba?” said Tang, who is the current head coach of the College of Saint Benilde Blazers. “Naka-shoot pa sila. So it was a collapse on our end.
“I thought it was gonna be a good ending for me.”
It wasn’t the kind of return he had envisioned. But the eight-year pro was glad to sniff the court again and play as if he was with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters years back, even though admitting that his feel for the game has yet to return.
“I feel good, okay naman. Although I think I’m at a loss at times in terms of my rhythm.
“Wala akong feel ng game because it’s been a long time,” admitted the 33-year-old, who played for 16 minutes and had two points and three assists.
Tang was fielded in by the Scratchers for Tuesday’s game just to fill in the void left by guard Kent Salado, who had incurred an MCL injury in his right knee. Asked if he’ll still suit up in Go for Gold next games, Tang simply said no.
“‘Yun lang ‘yun, hanggang doon na lang ‘yun. It’s just one game talaga for me,” he said. “Hopefully we get somebody in replacement of him, para we can continue on with our campaign for this conference.
“[Head coach] Charles [Tiu] has to look for one. Naka-one game contract lang ako. Extended minutes na nga eh,” Tang quipped.
“Masyadong mataas lang ang offer ni Coach Charles [Tiu], hindi ko mahindian. Papakainin daw ako eh.”
Still, it was a treat for the Scratchers to get to play with their coach.
