Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws wrapped the season up with all out win contra the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 77-62, in their last game in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 men’s basketball tourney on November 26 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Tamaraws went full capacity for their last game as Head Coach Olsen Racela gave the whole team a chance to play inside the court, producing 33 bench points for the green-and-gold side with 11 out of 16 players chipping in the scoreboard.

In a post-game interview, Racela emphasized the effort made by the team in the season despite the disappointing overall outcome.

“Of course we feel bad that we did not make it to the Final Four, but I think that the effort of the players was there. Like I said earlier, compared to the other teams medyo dehado kami sa (we were at a disadvantage with our) line up, but hindi kami magpapatalo (we will not back down) when it comes to heart and effort,” he said.

Senior Team Captain LJay Gonzales showed an extreme effort to bring the favor on their side by a 15-point performance with four assists and two blocks.

The FEU gunner also shared during the post-game interview how their losses became a lesson for the team to continue learning.

“Para sa amin, naging lesson na sa amin ‘yung mga past game na kahit natalo kami, hindi pa rin kami nag-give up and siguro ‘yun ‘yung mga lesson sa amin ngayon [season] (For us, the losses from our past games served as a lesson to never give up and that, I think, was the lesson for us this [season]),” Gonzales stated.

The Tamaraws concluded the season tied with the UE Red Warriors at sixth place of the leaderboard drawing a 5-9 win-loss record.

- Angel Joyce C. Basa

(Photo courtesy of The UAAP)