Once a middle school principal in Sacramento, California, after retiring from basketball, Far Eastern University mentor Sean Chambers has always emphasized discipline and tough love in his coaching philosophy — a guiding principle that now serves as the bedrock of the resurgent Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
While all players receive equal treatment in his shared desire to help everyone grow — both on and off the court — Chambers had a ‘hard conversation’ with point guard Janrey Pasaol the night before FEU’s clash against an undermanned University of the East last Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
“I am super proud of Janrey. We had a hard conversation yesterday regarding the other things that I expect from him, and he took it like a champ and like a man,” Chambers said.
Chambers, himself a multi-awarded PBA Best Import, has always been proud of Pasaol’s sophomore-year leap. Still, he challenged the young guard to live beyond his potential, encouraging him to embrace a leadership role — particularly for a Tamaraws side eager to find composure in the endgame after four of their five first-round losses were decided by seven points or less.
Many players might have struggled to bounce back from such a tough conversation, but Chambers was nearly brought to tears witnessing how Pasaol transformed that challenge into motivation.
In the end, the young star fueled a 95-76 win that allowed FEU to close the first round on a high note.
“His performance today, like I am almost in tears because we had a hard conversation yesterday on what my expectations are, especially as a leader for this team,” the second-year Tamaraws lead tactician shared.
“He took it, he saw it, and they responded tremendously. It could have gone either way, but what I love about my guys is they’re fighters, they move on, they take the hard truth, and they get better from it.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For Pasaol — who posted an all-around stat line of 17 points, 10 assists, two steals, and two blocks against UE — the challenge of emerging as FEU’s leader alongside Jorick Bautista went beyond setting the tone offensively and keeping teammates mentally sharp.
It was also about sparking a collective commitment to defense.
This mindset stemmed from gut-wrenching defeats early in the season, as the Tamaraws narrowly lost to perennial contenders Ateneo Blue Eagles, De La Salle Green Archers, and defending champions UP Fighting Maroons in the first round.
“Yon na nga ‘eh, sabi nga ni Coach Sean, doon talaga sa La Salle game nag-start ‘yan ‘eh.
“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. Kaya kami, kailangan namin dumepensa at ‘yon naman lumabas ngayong game na ito,” said Pasaol, who is the brother of former Red Warrior Alvin.
His stellar all-around performance has earned him third place in the MVP race after the first round. So far, he has tallied 80.429 statistical points on averages of 18.29 points, 6.57 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.14 steals per game.
Still, Pasaol remains unfazed by individual accolades.
With FEU sitting just a rung above the cellar in the eight-team field, he vowed to continue leading by example and focus on guiding the Tamaraws toward a Final Four return rather than chasing personal glory.
“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,” said the 5-foot-11 guard from Davao.
“Wala sa individual awards yung isip ko.”
