An emotional Allan Albano — now an assistant coach for Adamson University — could not hold back tears after watching his former players, Janrey Pasaol and Kirby Mongcopa, play pivotal roles in Far Eastern University’s breakthrough win over the Soaring Falcons in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
It was a poignant moment for Albano, who was facing his former squad for the first time since leaving the Baby Tamaraws in January 2025. He had devoted 17 years to the program, steering it to two UAAP boys’ basketball championships during a nine-year span.
Though his first encounter ended in a 58-64 loss for Adamson, Albano still beamed with pride.
Pasaol drilled the dagger triple to secure the Tamaraws’ win, while Mongcopa provided steady contributions against a gritty Falcons side — sealing the Sean Chambers-mentored team’s first victory of the season.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Naluluha tuloy ako. I’m so proud sa kanila at lalo na nakikita mo sila na sila yung ginagamit talaga. Nakikita mo na nakikipag-battle sila bawat possession. Minsan nakikita ko rin sila nakaka-shoot. Parang ako naisip ko bigla na, ‘Ay, hindi ko pala sila kakampi ngayon’,” Albano told Tiebreaker Times in an exclusive interview, Sunday afternoon, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
“Mixed emotions, siyempre. First, malungkot. Kailangan namin makabawi sa talo sa FEU. Siyempre happy din ako na nakikita ko yung mga boys na naglalaro, nagpe-perform, nakikipag-compete.”
Before donning the green-and-gold in the seniors’ division, both Mongcopa and Pasaol were integral to the Baby Tamaraws’ UAAP Season 85 championship run against the NU-Nazareth Bullpups — delivering Albano’s last title for his alma mater.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Mongcopa, in particular, shone brightly in that campaign, averaging 12.39 points, 10.17 rebounds, 3.06 assists, 2.17 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. But just as his career was gaining momentum, it was derailed for over two years by a motorcycle accident in 2023.
Only cleared to play for the Tamaraws last June, Mongcopa’s resurgence has been nothing short of inspiring.
For Albano, though, it came as no surprise, knowing the 6-foot-4 forward’s resilience and unshakable passion for the sport.
“Grabe. Alam ko naman talaga na matapang yung bata na ‘yan — hindi nagpapabaya ‘yan. Nung naaksidente nga ‘yan, nasa out of the country ako,” said Albano, who also serves as an assistant coach to former Tamaraw mentor Olsen Racela at the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the NCAA.
“Tinawagan ko lang siya at sinabi ko na magpagaling ka, papasundo kita sa FEU, doon ka mag-rehab sa FEU. Wala na akong tinanong kung anong nangyari kasi alam ko na hindi naman gagawa ng hindi maganda ‘yan.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Beyond Mongcopa’s comeback, Albano felt just as delighted to witness Pasaol’s sophomore leap.
The guard has flaunted his all-around play with averages of 19.5 points, 6.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.3 steals through four games in Season 88.
“Alam ko talaga na mage-excel talaga siya sa level na ito. Napakataba ng utak niyan at yung working habits niyan, maganda. Makikipag-compete ‘yan at hindi yan makikipagtalo at malayo mararating niyan,” Albano said of Pasaol.
As Albano walked out of the SM Mall of Asia Arena, a swirl of emotions lingered — memories of what once was and reflections of what might have been with the Tamaraws.
But amid the nostalgia, he offered one piece of advice — a cornerstone of his coaching journey — that he hopes Pasaol, Mongcopa, and the rest of FEU will carry with them moving forward.
“Magpapakabait lang sila lagi at dalhin nila ang ‘Be Brave’ spirit ng tinuturo namin sa kanila dati.”
