By Joshua Kyle Beltran

In an unexpected turn of events, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws exhibited an impressive performance to cling onto the Final Four race in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tourney. But where exactly did this ‘switch up’ come from?

In their nail-biting clash against De La Salle University (DLSU) yesterday, FEU managed to topple the former finalists to add another dub to their win column—and it was done in classic Tamaraw fashion.

Trailing by two to La Salle in the first round, beside losing closely to other top contenders, is a commendable feat in itself. But to edge them out in the crucial Final Four race speaks volumes toward how serious the Tamaraws want to make a statement this Season 88. 

And that is all thanks to a little guidance by none other than their head coach—Sean Chambers. 

A stricter yet effective approach

In the recent match’s post-game conference, Chambers recalled the extra training the team did beforehand. 

“I came into practice on Friday, and they’ll tell you, we didn’t touch a basketball for the first 20 minutes. We [kind of] did a couple of running, said ‘we gotta grind through this.’ They did it, and we practiced right after that, and they got after it,” he mentioned.

Among their previous close games, the change in their approach of training apparently stemmed from their 64-70 loss to the top-seeded National University (NU) last November 12, which Chambers deemed as a “missed opportunity” after trailing by as close as three in the final minutes.

As it shows, this was no ordinary day in the office for both the green-and-gold team and their lead tactician. From that moment onward, Chambers used that newfound coaching style as a blueprint for improvement—one rooted in the team’s best interest. 

“That’s how you grow. I told them that after practice, like, I’m [gonna] be tough on you, but I’m gonna love on you afterwards. I’m gonna love you [to] show you that, this is why we do it,” he expressed.

Bursting with emotion, Jedric Daa and Janrey Pasaol agreed that Chambers’ guidance was not only an act of discipline, but also genuine love.

“Bago kasi ‘yung La Salle game, sobrang na-frustrate si Coach Sean sa akin, eh. ‘Yung past games namin against NU, kinausap niya ulit ako—kailangan natin mag-usap ulit, kailangan ko mag-reset sa mindset ko pagdating sa game na ‘to… Lagi namang ganiyan si Coach Sean sa’kin. ‘Pag bad game ako, lagi niya kong ginagabayan lagi (Before the La Salle game, Coach Sean was very frustrated with me. Our past games against NU, he gave me another pep talk—we need to talk again, I need to reset my mind coming into this game… That’s the way Coach Sean is. When I have a bad game, he always guides me),” Pasaol expressed.

Their best game yet?

Firstly, FEU had a solid outing in the second quarter of said game against DLSU, leading by as much as 12 markers. Not to mention, the team's fluid ball movement, clean looks, and firm defense which allowed for vital points. 

The scoring output was also well distributed. The starting five of said game, composed of Pasaol, Mo Konateh, Jorick Bautista, Kirby Mongcopa, and Daa, each tallied double digits. 

Even off the bench, subbed-in players were able to make an impact despite their minimal playing time. For instance, Luke Felipe draining three out of three triples and Rojan Montemayor capitalizing on freebies.

As mentioned by Chambers, they were ‘clicking on all cylinders,’ a result of their change in approach to training just days before the win. 

“The first half, we were playing as good as I’ve ever seen us play… It was zone, man, offense… It’s all just coming together,” he cited. 

While not their best game in the eyes of some, one thing is for sure—and that is they showed improvement.

No more ‘handicaps’

For their past matches this season, the final quarter has always been the defining moment for the Morayta-based squad. However, it is usually not in the way they envision it. 

Their biggest weakness? The lack of a game plan in the late minutes—the very one that cost them close wins in the first round.

Unlike previous games where they relied on Bautista’s late-game heroics, forced shots, or scrambled defense, they turned their ship around by showing much more composed and mature versions of themselves.

While a relatively young team, Chambers remained firm in his belief that it was never an obstacle for them, but instead, a rock-hard foundation for the seasons to come.

“You see how our growth has been every game… The future of FEU is right here, and the sky’s the limit for them if we continue to work harder,” he emphasized.

In the words of head coach Sean Chambers, the Tamaraws will become a “problem” to the other teams. However, with the Final Four race slowly closing in, FEU will have to lock in and give it their all. 
(Photo by Thea Danielle Morin/FEU Advocate)