After guiding Far Eastern University to win first in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament — a 75-60 victory over University of Santo Tomas — coach Olsen Racela was a happy man as he entered the media room.
And finally one of the country’s hoop legends has the opportunity to be interviewed first by the reporters and he made no secret about how he felt now that his Tamaraws finally barged into the win column.
“Nandito na ako ah! Nandito na ako ah,” expressed Racela.
It has not been an easy campaign for FEU. Bucking the loss of current Ulsan Hyundai Mobis import RJ Abarrientos, the Tamaraws slid to five straight losses, which was their worst start ever since the Final Four format was instituted in 1993.
Full of gratitude following his team’s inaugural win this season, Racela was quick to thank the FEU community for coming in droves and supporting the team when it was so easy for them to lose faith and skip the game.
“First of all, I’d like to thank the whole FEU community. After the game ko lang nakita na grabe yung crowd up until the bleachers. Grabe yung suporta nila. From a 0-5 start, ganun pa rin ang suporta nila,” said Racela.
“We’re actually happy that nandito sila at yung suporta nila and we’re playing for all of them. It’s nice to get our first win.”
For FEU to seal this win, the likes of Bryan Sajonia, LJ Gonzales, Xyrus Torres, Ace Sandagon, and Cholo Anonuevo had to deliver big numbers to finish the job against UST.
Sajonia had 23 points, Gonzales and Torres had 17 points each, and Sandagon and Anonnuevo seized 11 and 15 rebounds respectively.
Teamwork makes the dream work and Racela was particularly proud to see multiple players contribute towards a resounding win.
“Yun yung maganda sa panalo namin ngayon. Everyone really showed up and played. In the past games namin, bilang. Ngayon, it’s a really collective effort from the team and medyo iba rin epekto ng losing streak eh,” said the former Ateneo Blue Eagle. “Nakakababa ng moral eh but still I’m proud of this team. Talagang they never gave up and hopefully it helps us especially with our morale and confidence. Iba rin makuha yung unang panalo namin na yan.
“Ang sinabi ko lang sa kanila, ‘It’s not what happens to you, it’s what happens in you that matters’. Kahit na andun yung losing streak namin, I told them to stay positive and eventually if we work hard, magbubunga din yan eh.”
The next challenge for the Tamaraws is to find a way to build on this win. They go again as early as this Sunday against the league-leading National University Bulldogs, who are looking to close their impressive first round on a high note.
While it may be easy to dismiss FEU’s chances against NU, there is no such thing as a giveaway game in the UAAP, especially this Season 85.
“Ang nakita naman natin this season sa UAAP, anything can happen. Any team can beat any team. Maganda yung balance ng competition this season,” said Racela.
“Subukan namin. I know they’re playing really well but we’re hoping we can ride the momentum of this first win namin.”
