LJay Gonzales should now forever be allowed to eat for free in every food stall in Morayta.
The graduating guard gift-wrapped the FEU Tamaraws a rousing victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena, 62-59, after drilling the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer.
Off an inbound play, Gonzales was well-covered by Ateneo's Chris Koon. Under duress, the FEU stalwart had to get creative to free himself up and hoist the walk-off bucket.
Gonzales started the second round of UAAP Season 86 on a fiery note, finishing with 19 points, including 10 in the final frame, nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
"Wala naman akong iniisip kundi ma-shoot talaga 'yung bola kasi 'yun na 'yung kailangan namin. Kung hindi ma-shoot, may overtime, may chance pa rin kami manalo," said Gonzales in a video posted by the UAAP Varsity Channel.
The Morayta-based squad improved to 3-5, while the luckless Ateneo fell to 4-4, suffering another heartbreaking defeat this season.
Blue Eagles rookie Mason Amos, who came up big in their win over the UP Fighting Maroons, almost extended the game into overtime after hitting another clutch basket with 14.1 seconds left.
But Gonzales probably said: Uwi na tayo.
The soft-spoken sniper from Isabela has made big shots in the past. But he refused to delve too much into it and simply credited divine intervention for his latest heroic act.
"Thankful ako kay God kasi siya 'yung nagbigay ng ganung tira sa'kin. Hindi ko naman magagawa 'yun, si God 'yung nag-provide ng shot," said Gonzales, who scored or assisted the last 15 points of the Tamaraws.
FEU will next face the Adamson Soaring Falcons, while Ateneo will try to bounce back versus UP. Both games are set this Sunday.