FEU sees nothing but good in current record
After a first-ever winning streak in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament, Far Eastern University (FEU) improved to a 3-6 (win-loss) record, and the Tamaraws still have a steep trek to be among the league contenders.
But while winning teams seem to be unsatisfied after every victory and keep nitpicking on their little flaws, the Tamaraws only see the good their record indicates.
Even after a one-win first round.
“I don’t think it was a rough first round. I think it was all learning lessons. We were in every game, and I think that’s the beauty of it all: that we were competitive,” coach Sean Chambers said after FEU avenged a first-round loss to National University, 65-58, on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“We’re in a very unique situation, like we were 2-6, now we’re 3-6, and we’re happy to be where we’re at,” Chambers said. “Most teams that are 3-6 are not happy to be where they’re at, [but we are] because we feel our momentum is going the right way.”
The Tamaraws have so far gotten back at two first-round tormentors, Adamson first and now the Bulldogs. But there is still a long list of scores they want to settle, which will also serve as the stepping stones they need to climb up to the top half of the standings.
“It’s been all a learning process, and now, I won’t say that the buy-in is there, but sure you gotta get some wins for everybody to be all-in right now,” Chambers said.
Emerging leaders
Leaders have been emerging among the Tamaraws like Jorick Bautista, who seems to have the knack of knocking down shots in crucial situations, powerhouse big man Mo Konateh and veteran Royce Alforque.
With neither team giving their opponent a chance to pull away, Alforque drained two close shots around a minute left to put FEU in a winning position, 61-56, before Bautista hammered in the nails in the coffin with a big triple.
“I am really drilling into my younger teammates that we need to step up especially in the crucial moments, because we fell short many times in the first round,” Alforque said. “And now, we really did our part, and we know that this is our time, and we know what we are doing.”
“There is still time, so we still have a chance,” Alforque added as he finished with nine points and seven rebounds.
Konateh registered another double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds, sniper Bautista contributed 17 points while rookie Veejay Pre added 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
“There’s one thing that we say in education: It’s not how you start, but it’s how you finish, so the way we’re finishing and it’s good, we’re gonna celebrate this game, then after that it’s on to the next one,” Chambers said.
