one card straight... protect or keep the pot small?

[xjimraketex]

Recently a friend of mine and i were discussing a hand which he played.
His opponents were loose and we werent sure whether to protect the hand or keep it small.
we would appreciate it if any of u guys could comment on the topic.
(Im new here so if i made any mistakes... dont be too hard on me [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

B] 0,05/0,10 No-Limit Hold'em <font color="blue">(8 handed)</font>[/b]
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: Texas Grabem 1.7 by www.pokerstrategy.cc.

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with 8[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]
<font color="grey">2 folds</font>, Hero calls $0,10, <font color="grey">MP3 folds</font>, <font color="red">CO raises to $0,50</font>, BU calls $0,50, <font color="grey">2 folds</font>, Hero calls $0,40.

Flop: ($1,65) J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], T[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="blue">(3 players)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="red">CO bets $0,90</font>, BU calls $0,90, Hero calls $0,90.

Turn: ($4,35) 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="blue">(3 players)</font>
<font color="red">Hero bets $3</font>, <font color="grey">2 folds</font>.

Final Pot: $7,35