ALL smiles was Janrey Pasaol with 1.1 ticks to go in FEU’s game against National U on Saturday at Araneta Coliseum.
Yes, the Tamaraws were down by two, but their already battle-tested rookie was about to take three free throws after getting fouled while shooting from long-range by PJ Palacielo.
Convert all charities and he wins a game in just his second outing for the green and gold’s seniors squad. Heck, go 2-of-3, and he forces an extra period.
"Yung tirang yun, wala na nga ako sa play e. Nagulat na lang ako, pumito yung ref na tatlo (free throws)," he said post-game.
"Lakad-lakad lang ako sa court para matanggal yung pressure, pero wala, rookie mistake. Wala na tayong magagawa."
READ: NU storms back, stands strong against FEU for win No. 1
None of it came to be. None of his freebies went in. The game, and the win, went to the Bulldogs.
Tears for fears
Not long after - immediately after his third miss, in fact - he turned his back to the rim, then slumped to the floor, in disbelief at what could have been.
Once teammates Jorick Bautista, Veejay Pre, and Jedric Daa picked him up, tears were rolling down his cheeks.
"Wala, panalo na kami e, ta's 'di ko na-shoot. Unang panalo ko sana sa UAAP men's. Masakit, pero wala na tayong magagawa," he said.
In just a matter of a little over one second of game time, and around two minutes of real time, Pasaol's smile was turned upside down.
"Ang unang pumasok sa isip ko, yung sinasabi ni coach Johnny [Abarrientos] talaga. Every practice, pinapaalala niya laging seryosohin yung free throws; make it or break it daw yun," he said.
Indeed, 'The Flying A' was right, free throws - three to be exact - broke FEU's hopes of bouncing back from a season-opening loss, when it could have made a perfect punctuation for the Tamaraws' entry into the win column.
Back to the drawing board
The younger brother of highly-regarded shot-taker and shot-maker Alvin Pasaol is himself well-known to never back down from big moments.
He himself could only admit, however, that the big stage and bright lights of the UAAP is another matter altogether.
As he put it, "Sa'kin, iba talaga yung pressure ng college basketball. Kahit ako talaga, madadala."
To be clear, Pasaol's history doesn't tell of a sureshot from freebies. In his last season for the Baby Tamaraws back in Season 85, he went 48-of-72 for a 66.7 clip.
Still, in this game, that would've meant going 2-of-3 and going to overtime.
That doesn't matter anymore now, though. All that matters after losing is learning, and the Tamaraws remain upbeat about finally breaking through when they get their next shot on Wednesday against UE.
"Panigurado. Wala e, dun ako nabasag e, kumbaga. Kailangan ko talagang mag-extra pa, lalo na kung extra pressure," the prized playmaker answered when asked about giving extra attention to free throws moving forward.
"Ang lesson sa'kin, about free throws talaga, pero 'di lang naman tungkol dun. Yun lang yung nakita sa dulo, pero marami pa kaming mga kulang. Nasa 20-plus yung offensive rebounds nila sa'min, so kailangan pa naming i-work hard yun as a team."
Pasaol could have won a game in just his second outing for FEU. Only, he missed all three of his tries to make something happen.
Without a doubt, this is a moment he will never forget, as it's something he never wants to happen again.
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