L-JAY Gonzales and Royce Alforque showed a glimpse of what's to come for the FEU Tamaraws in a big win over University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 82.
The sophomore Gonzales dropped 17 points and pulled down six rebounds to lead FEU, while the rookie Alforque had 16 points, six assists and four boards.
The two young guns said it was the product of long hours of hard practice.
"Si Royce sa training pa lang, bugbugan talaga. Minsan nga, nagkakalmutan na pero nandoon lang lagi yung samahan namin," said Gonzales. "Kaya namin naipapakita yung laro namin sa loob kasi sa training pa lang, inuumpasahan namin."
Alforque agreed, noting: "Walang bigayan talaga. Kung papetiks petiks kasi, walang matututo so kung sineseryoso namin, doon lang kami matututo pareho."
And it shows, with their competitive fire raising each other's games to the benefit of the Tamaraws, who are now in joint third place with the Growling Tigers at 5-5.
Alforque is also glad to be able to continue to work behind Gonzales.
"Sa juniors pa lang, back up na ako ni L-Jay. Pero para sa akin blessed ako kasi L-Jay Gonzales yan eh at nandyan siya para i-guide ako. Kuya ko yan eh," said the 19-year-old Alforque.
"Malaking bagay na alam na namin ang game ng isa't isa at nandoon lang ako sa likod niya para mag-step up."
The 20-year-old Gonzales belives he and Alforque are on the same wavelength: "Nakikita ko ang sarili ko sa kanya."
"Nung rookie din ako, pinadepensa lang nila ako nang pinadepensa. Pero palagi kong sinasabi sa kanya, gawin mo lang pinapagawa nila at pagtiyagaan mo."
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