LJay Gonzales and the FEU Tamaraws. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—It ain’t over until it’s over. That’s how Far Eastern University’s graduating guard LJay Gonzales sees the challenge in the Tamaraws’ remaining games in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.
Despite officially fumbling a ticket to the league’s Final Four after the Tamaraws’ 81-64 loss to University of the Philippines at Araneta Coliseum, Gonzales said he’s still happy with how his squad played against the Season 85 finalists.
“It hurts that we couldn’t make the Final Four again like last year. Our season now had a lot of challenges and injuries so we just gave our best not just today but even in practice,” said Gonzales in Filipino.
“I’m still happy with the way we played even if we’re out of the Final Four. We’re still fighting to have a good exit.”
FEU Tamaraws’ LJay Gonzales. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Gonzales went down firing with a game-high 20 points in the loss but he shot poorly from the field, sinking just seven of his 22 tries.
But going out of playoff contention doesn’t mean the road is ending for the Tamaraws.
In fact, Gonzales’ mindset now is to go down swinging in the squad’s last two games, especially because it will be the end of his career in the Green and Gold jersey.
And on his way out, he wants to impart his knowledge to the young guns of Morayta.
“For me, I’m just guiding them because I want to share with them what I learned too. I always motivate them, even if there’s no more Final Four for us, we should play well for us to have a good ending.”
“My mindset is I want to end the UAAP with good value so when I get to the pros, I’m okay. What I always think about, when I step inside that court is this is my last year, so I can show everyone what I still have.”