FILE – FEU’s L-Jay Gonzales. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — L-Jay Gonzales missed Far Eastern University’s UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball debut due to a sprained ankle he sustained in practice.
FEU head coach Olsen Racela bared Gonzales was a game-time decision after hurting his ankle in training two days ago.
Racela opted not to field in the 5-foot-10 guard in the Tamaraws’ dominating 76-51 win over the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“L-Jay sprained his ankle two days ago. He was a game-time decision. But when we got that lead, we decided not to use him anymore to give him more rest for our upcoming games,” explained Racela on Gonzales’ absence.
Despite missing the UAAP Season 79 Juniors Finals MVP, RJ Abarrientos made a rousing debut in the seniors’ division, scoring 14 of his 18 points in the first half.
The rookie sensation also shot 4-of-6 from the three-point line and collected five rebounds and two assists in just 20 minutes of play, enough to dominate UST.
FEU faces defending champion Ateneo in its next match on Tuesday at 1 p.m.