Jazul more than makes up for game-winner miss with clutch OT buckets

RJ Jazul

MANILA, Philippines — What RJ Jazul missed as the time expired in regulation, he more than made up for it in overtime on Wednesday in game three of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.

Jazul failed to convert what could’ve been the game-winner for Alaska as Calvin Abueva set him up for the final play — but he just shrugged it off and moved on.

“Siyempre, nanghinayang ako. Sana kasi tapos na. Pero syempre kailangan, mag-move on ako sa next play eh. Inisip ko meron pang 5 minutes,” Jazul said.

“Kapag ‘yon iniisip mo lalo ka mawawala eh, pag hinanap mo points mo.”

Then Jazul completed an and-one opportunity then uncorked a three-pointer  just a minute and half into extra time, and the Aces never let the San Mig Coffee recover from there for an 82-81 win.

This sharpshooter, who has played in three teams in his young PBA career, though, didn’t see overtime as a chance to just score and make up for his missed bucket.

“Di naman [ako gigil bumawi sa points]. Siyempre kung babawi ka, — kahit defense di naman necessary offense ang binabawi eh,” said Jazul. “Nagka-chance lang sa opensa. Naka-chamba lang.”

But head coach Luigi Trillo didn’t see Jazul’s effort as just luck, commending him — along with the second unit — for matching the energy the Mixers had.

“He’s been great. You see where he’s come from. Taken out of Rain or Shine, and in Air21 he’s in 2nd and 3rd group. The nice things about players like him, they value the team,” said Trillo.

“He was gutsy. He knew they were in penalty. And we need that, we need that guys who step up all over,” he added. “RJ is really huge [for us].”