JOLO Manansala will never leave his brothers high and dry even if he's hurting.
And he sure won't abandon them even if their campaign is going up in smokes.
Stretchered out after a bad fall late on Saturday, the Kapampangan forward put all of his strength to stand up and make his way back to the court to sing the National U Hymn for one final time.
"Pinilit kong tumayo kahit masakit. Akala ko nung na-stretcher ako, dadalhin lang ako sa bench, kaso diniretso ako sa dugout, so nagmakaawa ako sa kanila na ibalik ako doon kasi last game na," he said.
It wasn't the ending Manansala envisioned, him writhing in pain on a desperation three attempt in what would be an eventual 78-73 NU defeat to La Salle in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament on Saturday.
READ: La Salle leashes top dog NU to set up another finals date with UP
Adding salt to the wound was the pain he was feeling in his back when he crashed to the floor following an on-air collision with Jacob Cortez on that last gasp trey.
"Hindi ko rin na-expect na aabot ako nang ganun eh. Binato ko lang naman yung bola eh. Tapos wala na," he said, admitting he was still hurting from the bad landing.
Almost is never enough for NU
But the dust has already settled and yet again, the Bulldogs fell short in their quest for greatness.
Still, Manansala has full faith that this painful experience will only make the team stronger even after the graduations of the seniors.
"Masakit talaga yung nangyari kasi No. 1 kami tapos ganun. Sinabi lang namin sa kanila na gawin nilang malaking lesson talaga yung ngayong season. Baka kaya ganun kasi baka may kulang pa," he said.
"Pero 'di natin alam yung mangyayari next season, so baunin lang nila itong season na 'to and hopefully, makabawi sila."
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