By Joshua Kyle Beltran

Ending the first round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tourney on a 2-5 win-loss card, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws remain hungry for a semifinals berth. However, they will have to step up if they want to make their case as serious contenders.

Since Sean Chambers took on the mantle as FEU’s head coach last season, the Tamaraws concluded last season with a 5-9 win-loss standing, a hefty improvement from their 3-11 run in Season 86.

From losing Season 87 Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre to adjusting to their new roster in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, the green-and-gold squad has shown that they can adapt just fine.

In the Season 88 opener last September 20, the Morayta-based cagers lost by three to Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), 83-86.

Before their first win against Adamson University (AdU), they trailed by two more to De La Salle University (DLSU), 72-74.

Two games later, they trailed by three once more against defending champions University of the Philippines (UP), 66-69.

In between the close games, they absorbed blowout losses from National University and University of Santo Tomas (UST). But sure enough, FEU sealed the first round in classic Tamaraw fashion with a win over University of the East.

Keeping in close proximity with the coveted top dogs, such narrow losses say a lot about the Morayta-based squad’s first round showing—and it is that they have what it takes. 

But if they do not turn it up a notch anytime soon, then they can wave their Final Four dreams goodbye.

The pieces to the puzzle

Not long after Pre’s departure after the 3x3 men’s basketball tournament in May this year, the green-and-gold roster has since then seen new faces to keep their winning mentality alive.

One of whom was Pre, Janrey Pasaol and Jedric Daa’s then-high school core teammate and Season 85 Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kirby Mongcopa—who had just returned to playing ball after two whole years.

Playing like he never left, Mongcopa has since been dropping double-digits, like his 16-pointer performance in their opening game against AdMU.

The FEU Diliman bloodline continues as the team is joined by Season 87 High School Athlete of the Year Liam Salangsang, together with Luke Felipe, who sat out last year. 

Not to mention, they have Filipino-American shooter Neil Owens, who has seen quality minutes with his three-point shooting. 

CJ Amos and Alcen Macapagal, whose potential are yet to be seen, have also been vital in maintaining the team’s confidence in a revamped roster. 

A force to be reckoned with

While the Morayta cagers look for their groove in between their new roster, one should not forget about the rise of a lethal weapon that is Pasaol.

The point guard’s stat line has seen a tremendous shift since his collegiate debut last season. Now, he ranks third in the rankings of statistical leaders—garnering a total of 80.429 statistical points built on averages of 18.29 markers, 6.57 assists, four boards, and 2.57 steals per game.

However, Pasaol emphasized how his desire to win is above the feeling of receiving individual feats. 

“Sa ngayon kasi, hindi ko masyado iniisip ‘yan, eh. Gusto ko lang talaga kasi manalo kasi matagal kami natatalo na. Kailangan lang talaga kasi namin manalo talaga kasi ‘yon naman ‘yung focus, eh (Right now, I’m not thinking of it [statistics]. I just want to win because we’ve been losing for a long time now. We just need to win because that’s always been our focus),” he said in the post-game conference of their win against UE last October 19. 

The sophomore guard agreed on how they need to sharpen their late-game tactics—something he admits gets the best of the team, thus their narrow losses to AdMU, UP and DLSU.

“Maganda na pinapakita namin, then lagi na nga lang kami kinakapos pag endgame. Kaya nag-usap kami na siguro kailangan talaga namin dumepensa in the endgame kasi hindi talaga namin kaya na makipagsabayan ng score-to-score sa ibang schools, eh, kasi sila sobrang talented nila, eh (We are doing great, but then we always fall short in the late game. That is why we talked, saying how we need to heighten our defense in the endgame because we cannot keep up in scoring with the other schools because they’re talented),” he stated.

The same sentiment goes for six-foot-eleven center Mo Konateh, who also joins Pasaol in the stats leaderboard in fifth place and was given Player of the Week recognitions last October 6. 

“I think we found our rhythm and we just have to get better and win more… I was thinking it's that time to keep up the play, to play much harder and to try to get better,” Konateh shared in an online interview with FEU Advocate.

Seeing his vision of being the underdogs in play, Chambers expressed confidence in the team’s performance in the second round.

“I expect things to be better; our bench is starting to get used to the season… Again, I fear no one,” the lead tactician stressed.

There are no stops for the Tamaraws from this point onwards. If they play their cards right, FEU just might have a chance. 

(Photo by Thea Danielle Morin/FEU Advocate)