Gonzales hits game-winner as Tamaraws repeat over Blue Eagles

MANILA, Philippines – L-Jay Gonzales nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer as the FEU Tamaraws escaped with a thrilling 62-59 win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles in their UAAP Season 86 second round encounter Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With the game tied at 59 with 3.9 seconds remaining, Gonzales received the inbounds pass, drove to the top of the key, faked and then leaned into a floater from beyond the arc with exactly a second remaining. 

FOR THE WIN!

L-Jay Gonzales fakes, shoots and hits it at the buzzer as FEU stuns Ateneo once again, 62-59.

Tamaraws complete a sweep of the Blue Eagles to move at 3-5.

Blue Eagles slide to 4-4. @PhilippineStar @StarSportsHub@PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/Q7SUqOnL89

His last-second heave went through the rim as the buzzer sounded. 

FEU led by eight points, 57-49, with a few minutes remaining in the game. 

But Ateneo cut the lead to one, 57-56, off a 7-0 run capped by an Ian Espinosa layup with 1:06 remaining. 

Gonzales, who has been the hero for FEU multiple times in the tournament, broke the dry spell of the Tamaraws with an improbable layup over Joseph Obasa and Kai Ballungay to give them a three-point cushion, 59-56.
 
Ateneo rookie Mason Amos tied the game with a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 14.1 seconds remaining. 

On the other end, the Blue Eagles forced a turnover as Pat Sleat lost the handle while being harassed by Espinosa. 

This gave the defending champions a chance to take the lead with 5.8 seconds left. 

After an intentional foul to Jared Brown, Ballungay threw the ball out with a strong pass to the other end, setting up Gonzales’ game-winner. 

Gonzales led the charge for the Tamaraws, finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists. 

He also had four steals. 

Sleat and Jorick Bautista had 12 and 10 markers, respectively.

Chris Koon finished with 14 points for Ateneo. 

The defending champions, who also lost to the Tamaraws in the first round, dropped to a 4-4 win-loss record. 

FEU, meanwhile, is now at 3-5 for the solo sixth spot.