Coach Denok Miranda was no longer surprised.
When the going got tough, the FEU Tamaraws relied on L-Jay Gonzales on Wednesday.
As usual, Gonzales delivered.
The cat-quick guard made back-to-back baskets down the stretch before Royce Alforque canned a pair of free throws that sealed FEU’s 49-46 win over Adamson Falcons in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.
L-Jay was simply being L-Jay.
“Wala akong inisip kundi ma-shoot ‘yung bola. ‘Yun naman laging mindset,” he said after the match at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Head coach Denok Mirando was no longer surprised. After all, Gonzales, who finished with 13 points and 9 rebounds, has been reliable since his rookie year.
“L-Jay is L-Jay. Meron lang akong mga tinuturo sa kaniya pero si L-Jay na ‘yan, rookie hanggang fourth year,” Miranda said.
“Sa kaniya kami madalas nakasandal. Ngayon medyo may tini-tweak lang ako para hindi masyadong (mabigat) load sa kaniya. Masaya ako na nagre-respond siya.”
After scoring back-to-back victories, the Tamaraws climbed to a 2-4 win-loss record. But Miranda is far from satisfied.
“Happy ako pero hindi pa satisfied kasi nasa process pa rin kami, dami pa dapat matutunan,” he said.
(CF)