FAR Eastern University coach Olsen Racela has long been touting L-Jay Gonzales as the future for the Tamaraws.
And on Wednesday, the 20-year-old once again showed why the PBA great had no qualms putting that label on him.
Gonzales was all over the court as he tallied eight points, seven rebounds, and six assists, providing the silver lining for FEU after its slim 61-55 defeat to University of the Philippines to start the UAAP Season 82 men's basketball tournaments.
That's why Racela made it a point to remind everyone that he has a gem in Gonzales in his roster.
"L-Jay is an all-around player. His eight, seven, and six, wala pa dun yung pressure defense niya," he proudly boasted.
"Again, we’re investing on the youth and eto si LJay ang aming present and future."
Hearing those remarks, Gonzales could only blush in appreciation, yet made it a point to make the most of the minutes he's been given as he embarks in this sophomore season with a little bit more responsibility vested on his shoulders.
"Sobrang saya ko lang kasi binibigyan ako ng minuto ni coach Olsen at hinding hindi ko sasayangin yung mga minutong yun," he said. "Gusto ko lang namang mangyari is i-share ko sa team yung lahat ng kung anong meron ako. Gusto kong ipakita sa kanila kung anong meron ako para mapasaya ko yung team ko."
As stellar as that statline was, Gonzales had a horrid 3-of-14 shooting in this opener for FEU, a facet which he looks to improve on as FEU shifts its attention to UE on Sunday.
"Nagpa-practice naman ako araw-araw pero siguro mintis lang yun. Kaya kailangan ko pang iimprove yung laro ko sa loob ng court," he said, looking to once again make Racela look like a genius for branding him as the cornerstone of the Tamaraws moving forward.
"Oo, pressure para sa akin yung mga sinabi ni coach Olsen, pero nag-eenjoy lang ako at ine-enjoy ko lang kung ano yung mga sinasabi ng tao para sa akin. Di ko na iniisip yung mga sinasabi nila. Para sa akin, enjoy lang ako."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
