The level of trust that was forged between the Tamaraws of Far Eastern University was instrumental for them in weathering the fourth quarter storm against National University.
Indeed, the confidence that they have in each other paid off as the Morayta-based squad escaped with a much-needed 59-57 victory on Thursday afternoon.
In crunch time, loose possessions were scattered across the floor until Emman Ojuola picked off an NU outlet and located L-Jay Gonzales. He then found Xyrus Torres in the corner who successfully knocked down the game-winning three with 2.2 seconds left in the game.
“Siyempre excited and ready lang ako eh, ‘di ko rin talaga in-expect ‘yung shot na ‘yun eh kasi ‘yun nga sabi rin ni coach na trust lang kami sa isa’t isa and tinrust ako ni L-Jay [Gonzales]. Pati mga coaches nag-trust lang sa’kin,” the 21-year-old former Baby Tamaraw said.
“Yun lang naman lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na once na nag-pepenetrate sila, libre lang ako. Kung libre ako edi go, ready lang ako lagi.”
Gonzales also reiterated the level of trust and confidence that he has in putting the ball in the hands of his teammate with the game on the line.
“Yun nga ‘yung laging sinasabi sa’kin ni Xyrus na tignan mo ako palagi pag na-lilibre ako then ‘nung unang tumira siya ‘di pumasok,” Gonzales recalled.
“Na-rebound ko then inatake ko then nakita ko si Xyrus so ‘yung trust na sinasabi ni Coach Olsen [Racela] ‘yun na ‘yung nangyari.”
The 6-foot guard out of San Fernando, Pampanga stepped up in a tilt where both Gonzales and Abarrientos struggled after being limited to seven and three points, respectively. Torres ended up as FEU’s leading scorer with 16 points after firing four treys in close to 30 minutes of action.
Luckily for the Tamaraws, the ball also found the hot hand at the right time.
Torres shared that his teammates are usually the ones taking charge in late-game situations but was just relieved to be able to deliver when his team needed him the most.
“Yung mga time na ganun madalas talaga kila L-Jay at RJ [Abarrientos] pero binigay lang talaga ‘yung trust nila sa’kin and buti nalang nakita rin ako ni L-Jay,” he said.
“Buti nalang pumasok din ‘yung tira ko.”
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