Galanza comes to UE's rescue with statement game
The biggest reason why the UAAP Season 77 Final Four is still a Final Five is Pedrito “Bong” Galanza.
On Wednesday Galanza was the main man for the UE Red Warriors in their gutsy, hard-earned 68-66 victory against DLSU that avenged a 60-58 first-round loss to the Green Archers. The win gives them a very decent shot at the Final Four, with an 8-5 slate. UE finishes their season against UST next Tuesday.
Galanza led his team with 21 points off 8-for-18 shooting, including an impressive 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Galanza also hauled down seven rebounds, another team-high (yes, he outrebounded Charles Mammie,) and dished out two assists.
The 21 points is nine better than his season average of 12.
Galanza's biggest moments came in the final quarter when his team needed him most.
After Kib Montalbo had put the Archers on top 55-47 Galanza nailed a three-pointer to cut the lead to five. Moments later he drained another three to keep UE within five again, 61-56. It helped spark a 9-0 run that pulled the Red Warriors to within one 61-60.
Galanza reserved his most artful shot for his last, twirling in a delightful turnaround jump shot to tie the game 63-63.
Last year Galanza found few minutes with Ralf Olivares and Lord Casajeros in Boyzie Zamar's rotation. This year those two are gone, and first-year mentor Derick Pumaren has allowed Galanza to shine.
“Naging mas aggressive ako this year,” says Galanza. “Sinabihan ako ni coach na mag-take charge ako. Pag may tira, kunin ko.”
Roi Sumang, UE's mercurial point guard who chipped in fourteen points, says Galanza is a stickler for practice who does his own shooting practice after the team's regular training.
As a player in his last year, Galanza was also granted the title of co-captain by Pumaren. “Hindi pa ako pinapahiya,” says the coach.
As for the defense, Galanza and his mates have adjusted to the legendary Pumaren Press that Derrick and assistant Dindo Pumaren have installed.
“Ineenjoy na lang namin.”
The suffocating press helped force 29 La Salle turnovers, including several late in the game. UE only forked the ball over fifteen times. Sumang was UE's Lord of Larceny with five steals.
But the question remains: who is Bong Galanza?
The spindly forward hails from Reina Mercedes, a remote town in Isabela province north-west of the Magat Reservoir, near Cauayan City and Ilagan City. Galanza says it is eight hours away via road. Bong's mom is a DSWD employee and his father a former counselor.
A game in a local commercial league was his entry into the world of college hoops. The mayor of a neighboring town played against him, and Galanza's play caught his eye. The mayor knew someone in the University of Manila, and next thing he knew Bong was playing for the Hawks in the NAASCU league.
After a year of playing with UM, UE's Eugene Tan spotted Galanza and brought him to Recto. After a year's residency in the UE Team B, Galanza is now completing his third and final year of eligibility with UE.
Galanza is scrawny, but one thinks he is just a few protein shakes and a P90X DVD away from making an impact in the PBA D-League, where he hopes to play soon.
“Si God na ang bahala sa akin,” says the Red Warrior of his pro chances.
Galanza and many of his teammates wore shirts in their pre-game shootaround that read “God's grace is in my game.” Divine intervention is always good in basketball, but so is a shooting forward as handy as Bong Galanza.
Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.
