[Garland]

Our friend is in a tight spot with only about 5 rounds to play (depending on when limits increase). He's likely to get crap cards during this time, and I think this is the hand he needs to be willing to gamble with. 15x the BB with blinds and antes,

(a) he probably had enough to cause one of the players to fold
(b) with this pair, he's likely to have the best hand

Also in consideration, bigger stacks are probably willing to push more with marginal hands even UTG. They are afforded the liberty to try to bully the table, so that increases the range of hands to include stuff like A-weak, KQ, KJ, QJ...maybe even JT.

I think he needs to gamble here and try to take this pot at this time. I would rather go out here than be blinded away.

Garland