JOLO Manansala has no regrets for his missed three late in National University’s 70-68 defeat to Ateneo on Sunday.
Though he acknowledged that the Bulldogs didn’t really need a three with 5.1 seconds left, the situation forced him to heave the three-pointer from the top of the arc.
“May options kami, pero sa akin napunta yung bola. Da-drive sana ako going to the right, pero na-check ako,” he shared.
“Nakita ko naman na kaya ko siyang i-shoot. Buo yung loob ko na itira yung shot. Hindi ako nagdalawang isip kasi ma-shoot man o hindi, handa akong harapin kung ano mang mangyari. Sayang lang na 'di na-shoot.”
READ: Rookies Bahay, Porter come up big vs NU to carry Ateneo back into win column
The missed three was a blot on Manansala’s 12-point, 7-rebound night, as the Bulldogs slipped to a 2-6 slate to start the second round of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
On to the n(U)ext
But he’s not letting this miss, nor the other heartbreakers that the Jhocson side endured in the past, get to him as the 6-foot-4 forward believes that these experiences will only strengthen their crew in the long run.
“Yung mga ganitong nangyayari, madadala namin ito every game. Sa akin, mas dadagdag ito sa kumpyansa ko kasi alam ko na kaya namin. May lesson itong mga ganitong pagkatalo para sa buong team, kung paano namin haharapin yung ganoong situations ulit para alam na namin sa susunod,” he said.
That confidence is very much needed for National U, which is looking to stay in the thick of the Final Four race.
Manansala said that he believes it, and so does his team.
“Nasa isip namin, kaya pa. Sabi nga ni coach Jeff [Napa], nagbubukas yung pinto sa amin unti-unti, so nasa sa amin na lang kung paano namin hahabulin yung dapat naming habulin,” he said, still defiant until the end.
“Kaya pa hanggang dulo. Ano pa man, lalaban kami hanggang dulo.”
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