San Beda University guard, Nygel Gonzales, had a fun and light postgame interview last December 10 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, when asked what his reaction earning the “Best Point Guard in the NCAA” praise from his own Head Coach, Yuri Escueta.
Real Talent Recognizes Real Talent
Despite being given such high praise from his coach, Nygel, who put up 14 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal in their Game 1 victory of the finals, Nygel still acknowledged that Colegio de San Juan de Letrán’s Jonathan “Titing” Manalili is still a great player in the league.
“Hindi ko naman siya masyadong pinapansin. Wala akong pakialam sa comparison. And si Titing is a very good player rin talaga and yun.”
After beating the College of Saint Benilde in the Do-or-Die semifinals last December 7, Coach Yuri told media reporters postgame that his player Nygel Gonzales is the best guard in the league, ahead of the star rookie of the Letrán Knights.
Even Head Coach Escueta joked to the media after Nygel’s response saying:
“Hindi siya nakikinig sa akin, hindi niya ako pinapansin eh.”
Trusting the Game Plan Despite the Agjanti Miller Ejection and Suspension
The 21-year-old guard earned the Best Player of the Game award, and despite the Agjanti Miller ejection in the 4th quarter due to receiving 2 technical fouls along with his backcourt duo Bryan Sajonia fouling out of the game, he told Rebanse that he trusts their gameplan and was focused on the game.
“Nagkaroon kase kami ng turnovers nung second quarter so coming in to the third quarter we tried to execute lang nung mga plays namin and we tried to slow down the game.”
And coming into Game 2, it has already been announced that San Beda’s superstar rookie will be sidelined due to a suspension. When asked how they will approach the game on Saturday, the 3rd year college student just mentioned that they’ll do the best that they can to close the series out.
“For now magpahinga muna kami and pagbalik namin ng practice we’ll see on what we can do. Pero for sure, gagawan naman namin ng paraan.”
The Exact Opposite of Season 99
Nygel is also one of the very few remaining players who were part of the San Beda team in Season 99 which last won the championship.
Back in 2023, they first lost Game 1 and won 2 straight games to clinch the championship. When asked how it feels to experience the opposite side of things and how to prevent an upcoming two straight losses, Gonzales told the media they need to remain aggressive on both sides of the floor.
“Feel ko we have to stay aggressive lang on both sides offensively and defensively and try to limit Letrán’s offensive efficiency din tulad nila Manalili, [Jimboy] Estrada and [Kevin] Santos.”
Aggressiveness Must Remain in Game 2
Playing in a collegiate rivalry is indeed a different feeling. And when asked what would be the mentality for the Red Lions in order to sweep the Letrán Knights in Game 2, Nygel answered that they should maintain their aggressiveness no matter what.
“Ah yun tulad ng sabi ko yung aggressiveness lang ng teammates ko [in] being ready coming into the game, tsaka laban lang.”
San Beda will try to end the finals series against the Letrán Knights on Saturday, December 13, still at the Big Dome, at 2:30 PM.
