FAR Eastern University sent basketball fans into a whirlwind of emotions after conceding to Ateneo in bizarre fashion on Saturday.
The Tamaraws appeared poised for a gutsy come-from-behind win after battling back from as much as an 18-point deficit before the final play where they had the ball, down by three, 72-75, with 3.7 seconds remaining.
It was clear to everybody exactly what the green-and-gold needed to do to tie the tally and force overtime.
Well, except Janrey Pasaol, it seemed, as he turned down a good look for a triple at the top of the arc and drove close into the lane for a floater that hit frontrim.
READ: Why did Janrey go for two with FEU down by three against Ateneo?
Since then, the question on everybody's minds has been why did he do that.
As it turned out, the reining MVP was so zoned in on the play coach Sean Chambers drew up that he unfortunately forgot about the score.
“Dapat kasi iikot si Doy (Jorick Bautista) sa likod ko, tapos si Kirby [Mongcopa] nasa corner na three-points para may dalawa akong open na mapasahan,” he shared to SPIN.ph, just hours after respectfuly declining interviews following their loss.
“Ang mali ko lang, 'di ko natignan yung score kasi sobrang naka-focus ako sa play na gagawin namin. Kaya ayun, akala ko two points lang lamang ng Ateneo.”
For Pasaol’s part, the play in question was run to perfection before his crucial decision that doomed them to a third straight defeat.
As Pasaol attacked the basket after the inbound, the defense did collapse, leaving Mongcopa open in the corner, while Bautista - who had nine points in that fourth quarter alone - leaked out to the perimeter as well.
“'Di ko naman ititira yun kung alam ko. (Expletive) talaga, inabutan pa ng malas,” he added, in frustration.
Janrey will learn the hard way
Chambers, though, was quick to point out he isn't about to begin losing trust in his lead guard just because of one blunder - critical as it may have been.
“It was very clear we needed a three-point shot. I believe he just had a lapse in judgment when people ran past him. He’ll be better from it,” he said.
Pasaol will get to redeem himself on Wednesday when he and FEU try again to arrest their losing slump against Adamson.
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