UP guard Cyril Gonzales takes a jumper against NU in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines coach Goldwin Monteverde was not surprised that Cyril Gonzales delivered in big moments to beat National University, 75-63, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Gonzales was a big revelation for the Fighting Maroons, draining 12 of his 15 points in the payoff period, including a dagger 3-pointer with 47.3 seconds remaining as the Fighting Maroons got back at their first-round tormentor.
Subbing in Gonzales, who has been his player since high school at Nazareth School of NU, for Harold Alarcon in crunch time wasn’t exactly a gamble for Monteverde.
“To be honest, I have known Cyril’s capability ever since before. I think he was given that moment to show what he can do,” said the UP coach in Filipino. “All of us from the team trust him so much. And I’m really happy with the way he played in the fourth quarter.”
Gonzales, a defense-oriented guard, had only scored a total of nine points in the six games he played in the first round, where he averaged just over 14 minutes a game. He did, however, normed 1.17 steals per outing.
Against the Bulldogs, though, Gonzales showed he can be effective on the offensive end as well, hitting 6-of-11 from the field that went with two rebounds and a pair of steals.
“I just did what I had to do. I embraced my role. My scoring output this game is just a bonus,” said Gonzales in Filipino.
“I gave value to coach’s trust. Coach really trusts me and I trust whatever he wants me to do for the team,” he added.
Gonzales’ breakthrough game stretched the Fighting Maroons’ winning streak to four games after avenging their lone loss in the first round and tightening their hold of the top spot with a 7-1 record.
“We just need to have the same approach on our upcoming games, not only against Adamson. We have to be consistent from first to fourth for us to have a good game and good result,” said Gonzales.
Gonzales hopes to sustain his form when UP battles Adamson on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.