Bong Galanza learns lesson from botched final play in NLEX loss

MANILA, Philippines—Bong Galanza could’ve been the unlikely savior for NLEX against Phoenix Friday night in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.

He only needed to make that last gasp three to win the game for the Road Warriors.  Instead, he was on the receiving end of a Calvin Abueva block that in turn preserved the Fuel Masters’ 83-82 victory.

Galanza, who went in and out of the from 2016 to present, had a solid outing for the undermanned Road Warriors with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting and everything could’ve gone perfectly if not for Abueva’s game-winning denial.

The University of the East alum, however, did not dwell on the negativity of the botched play and instead looked at it as a way to get better as a player.

“Ever since I was in UE I’ve been involved in late-game plays and I also had chances to win the game and unfortunately I also have last shots that didn’t go in,” said Galanza in Filipino Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“I think the block had a purpose, to help me prepare myself in case I get tasked to take the game-winner I’d be able to hit it.”

Galanza said the play was supposed to set up Poy Erram underneath and let him operate within the last 2.3 seconds of game time but Phoenix was able to read the scheme after Justin Chua deliberately stepped on the sideline to get a delay of game infraction.

Erram was pinned down in the crowded paint and JR Quiñahan had no choice but to throw it to the open Galanza at the top of the key only for Abueva to make the swat.

Galanza, who’s been receiving more than 24 minutes of playing time due to the absence of the suspended Kiefer Ravena and the injured Kevin Alas, was drafted 46th overall in the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft stayed for two years with the Kia franchise before getting cut and playing for a Batangas club in another professional league in 2018.

This type of backstory was what fueled Galanza to prove his worth and he vowed that he could knock down a game-winner in the future.

“Nothing’s impossible, you just have to believe,” said Galanza. “I just have to work on those kinds of situations so when the time comes I have more confidence that I can make the shot.”