RAVEN Gonzales will be the last guy to sulk for the minutes he may or may not given.
To him, all that matters is that when his number gets called, he plays up to par to coach Topex Robinson’s expectations.
“Konti yung minutes ko nung Game One, but I don’t care about that,” he said, looking back on the three minutes he logged in the opener of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals. “Sa team namin, we got each other’s backs. Nagtutulungan lang kami.”
READ: Repeat or revenge: La Salle, UP fight over UAAP Season 87 title
And when Gonzales got called from the bench, he made sure to make his minutes count.
He was one of the few who stepped up for La Salle in its tight 76-75 Game Two escape, collecting eight points, two rebounds, and two blocks in 10 minutes of play.
“Pag pinapasok ako, I just try to give my best sa pinapagawa nila coach. So talagang buhos lang lalo na do-or-die kami,” he said.
Not only did he give much relief to main guys Kevin Quiambao and Michael Phillips, but his support also aided the Green Archers to force the decider in the best-of-three championship showdown.
It’s the kind of culture that Robinson is happy to cultivate in Taft, saying that minutes will be the last topic of discussion within their ranks.
READ: La Salle better than UP in terms of Game Three history
“What’s good about those players is they don’t take it personal. They know their respective roles, everybody is clear with their respective roles kaya di nagkakaroon ng confusion. We took out the inggit among the team,” he said.
“Everybody knows KQ is our guy and Mike is our guy. So if you’re not Mike or KQ, you have your respective roles. It was clear with everybody.”
And Gonzales’ response to this has been promising for the mentor, who continued to exude faith on the 6-foot-7 forward as La Salle closes in on a repeat.
“We know that when Raven’s number is called, he’s gonna deliver and he did,” he said.
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