No regrets for UE Red Warrior Bong Galanza
If given another chance, University of the East skipper Bong Galanza would still go for a game-winner than just a tying basket.
Although he missed a potential game-clinching triple in the closing seconds of their heart-breaking 49-51 setback against the National University Bulldogs in their knockout battle for the fourth and final semifinals spot in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum, the Red Warriors skipper admitted he would still try for that high risk attempt than taking a higher percentage shot.
“Oo naman, tira ko talaga ‘yun. Sa akin ipinagkatiwala,” was Galanza’s quick reply when asked by a sports scribe whether he would uncork that same step-back three-point try after faking off National U rookie guard Rev Diputado in the waning moments of their thrilling match.
“Hindi lang talaga pumasok. Siguro may better plan si God,” he added after emerging from a somber UE dug-out. “Design rin naman talaga sa’kin ni coach (Derrick Pumaren) ‘yun.”
That missed—his 13th overall out of 17 attempts—put a bitter end to the UAAP career of Galanza after emerging as one of the biggest heroes in the erstwhile resurgent Red Warriors’ five-game winning streak that saw him pile up 17.4 markers per outing, highlighted by a collegiate career-high of 27 points in their marvelous 94-71 win over Far Eastern U last Sept. 7.
However, he failed to deliver another strong performance that the Red Warriors needed the most, struggling with just nine points and turning the ball over five times, while coming up empty in the final canto when teammate Roi Sumang sparked a big UE fightback that allowed them to make the Bulldogs sweat heavily in the stretch.
And when the final buzzer sounded, Galanza was left in utter shock at the center court, with his teammates, notably guard Dan Alberto, consoling him no end.
“Kino-comfort nia ako kasi sobrang sakit. Last year ko na tapos hindi pa kami nakapasok sa Final Four. Andyan na, iga-grab na lang namin ‘yung opportunity kaso hindi pa namin nakuha, “ he shared.
Even Pumaren admitted there’s no reason to fully pin the blame on Galanza, stressing the Red Warriors collectively crumbled at the foul line, muffing 10 of their 18 attempts, including eight big misses in the final canto.
“As I’ve told the players, we can not look at it sa last shot ni Bong. We have to look at the overall picture of the game. We missed a lot of free throws in the stretch,” he stressed.
With his collegiate career now over and done, Galanza added he’s getting enough support from the Red Warriors as he intends to quickly shift his focus on proving his real worth for Cafe France in the PBA Developmental League.
“In-e-encourage naman ako ng mga teammates ko. Sinasabi nila sa’kin na ‘May next chapter pa naman sa career mo. Hindi pa naman ito ‘yung huli,” he said.
