By Joshua Kyle Beltran
With Far Eastern University (FEU) hosting and its high school basketball standouts joining the senior team, Tamaraws head coach Sean Chambers is well aware of the outside noise coming into the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89. But how exactly does he plan to steer the squad through it?
In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate following their loss against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons earlier today, September 13, the Morayta cagers’ lead tactician spoke confidently about the team’s capabilities.
“That’s just it. Everybody’s speaking highly of us, and everybody understands the talent number that we have. We are talented,” he acknowledged.
As early as the preseason, the Tamaraws have been steadily drawing attention following the addition of key players from their Season 88 high school counterpart — Cabs Cabonilas, Marc Burgos, Yosef Rañeses, and Sam Hall. They are also led by Janrey Pasaol, the league’s defending Most Valuable Player.
However, it was not until their first loss of the season that Chambers confessed that the green-and-gold squad played anxiously, with the University’s hosting duties adding to the noise.
Being the father figure he is, the lead tactician was quick to take responsibility whenever the team falters under pressure.
“If we’re playing with a level of anxiety where we cannot allow ourselves to play freely, that falls on me. I have to make sure I get them in a situation where they flow more freely and don't feel the anxiety of trying to win now. It’s on me to make sure that we do better,” he shared.
Still, the FEU head coach emphasized that succumbing to that exact pressure could hold them back.
“If you play like that, you're never gonna be able to play, relax, and play the way that we need to play,” Chambers said.
Winning ways on the way
Now in his third year at the helm, Chambers believes this is by far the best version of the team.
“I thought we’d been performing well. We’ve been practicing well. Matter of fact, our practice has been the best we’ve ever had since I’ve been here,” he noted.
Not one to fuss over spilled milk, the green-and-gold lead tactician just seeks to move on and get back to the grind.
“We’re trying to get better. We'll get back in the gym. We'll be men about it, and we'll… push ourselves even harder,” he said.
More than just basketball, their journey ahead carries great weight — but the goal remains clear: to win.
Despite the early setback, their thirst sends a clear message that the Tamaraws are out for blood. However, composure will always remain key for victory — something Chambers promises to instill.
(Photo by James Neil Tamayo/FEU Advocate)