Far Eastern University’s graduating guard L-Jay Gonzales was still happy despite the bitter end of his final season in the UAAP. 

The veteran player couldn’t give the Tamaraws a winning conclusion to their disappointing Season 86 campaign, losing to the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 57-53, last week in their last game. 

FEU managed only three wins against 11 losses to finish seventh place in the standings and, in turn, missed the Final Four for two years in a row. 

“Sobrang happy na may halong lungkot. Kasi di na ako makakabalik dito sa UAAP, happy ako na natapos ko ‘yong season ko na maayos din. Kahit na may mga injuries ako pinilit ko pa rin maglaro kasi gusto kong ma-share din kung anong meron ako sa UAAP,” said Gonzales. 

“Happy ako na tinulungan ako ng mga coaches na laging andiyan nagbibigay ng advice sa amin and sobrang thankful ako sa FEU community,” he added. 

In a forgettable final collegiate game, Gonzales was thrown out of their match against UST after committing his last foul with over two minutes left in the game. 

Even then, he went back to the bench feeling happy knowing that he’s given his all to the school. 

Other teams had their guy, and there was Gonzales for the Tamaraws when they needed the lift most.

FEU head coach and former player Denok Miranda, for his part, deemed his one season with Gonzales not enough, insisting they could have achieved more as a team had there been more time. 

"Sana nga more years pa kami nagkasama. Para maituro ko talaga kung ano ‘yong na-experience ko (as a player). Kasi parang bitin na bitin ‘yong time namin,” Miranda said. 

“Nag-srtart lang mag-practice to August dahil nga to sa injury eh. Gusto ko sanang maturo sa kanya at least (‘yong mga experience ko). Late second round na niya nagagawa.”

With his collegiate career now over, Gonzales shifts his focus to recovery and rehabilitation as he is set to undergo a procedure to remove bone spurs in his right knee.

“Sa ngayon, wala pa siguro. Magpapa-(check) ng bones, papatanggal ko muna ‘yong (kailangan tanggalin). Pagtapos ng rehab and let’s see,” he concluded.