As Far Eastern University’s post-game press conference began following its 73-70 victory over Adamson University, coach Sean Chambers immediately opened with an apology. He and players Janrey Pasaol and Kirby Mongcopa had arrived later than usual — for a reason.
It turns out the legendary PBA import had taken time to address his team in the locker room, giving them a stern lecture after they nearly squandered a winnable game last Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Known as one of the most amiable coaches in the league, the Gilas Pilipinas assistant didn’t hide the reason for their delay. He candidly explained that despite the win, there were lessons to be learned.
“I’m gonna say I’m sorry we’re late because I kind of scolded them in the locker room because we played great basketball for the first three quarters,” said Chambers. “But in the fourth quarter, we showed a little bit of immaturity that I felt we’re at the point in their basketball careers where we need to start showing a little bit more leadership, finishing the game the right way, and not letting it get to that point.
“For three quarters, I thought we were phenomenal. We did everything we were supposed to. We kept them off the three-point line. In the fourth quarter, we went blank on that, and we had ill-advised turnovers down the stretch that put it into overtime. With that said, I’m happy for the win. This league is incredible. Every game has been incredible. I’m really happy for our guys.”
Whatever frustration Chambers had, he left behind in the locker room as the post-game presser turned lighthearted. Mongcopa repeatedly joked about the word “process”, prompting laughter when Chambers playfully said, “tapos na.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Despite the humor, the message was clear — lessons had to be learned. Both Pasaol and Mongcopa admitted their lapses nearly cost them the game. With FEU having lost key veterans like RJ Abarrientos and Veejay Pre in recent years, their youthful core continues to shoulder leadership responsibilities on the fly.
Still, this young Tamaraws squad is learning and growing with every challenge.
“Yung sabi ni coach Sean sa locker room kanina na di na dapat aabot ng overtime eh kung nag-stay consistent kami at naging disciplined. May game nanaman kami against Sunday,” said Pasaol, who came close to a triple-double with 10 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
“Ang mga pagkukulang namin ngayon, dun namin i-execute sa Sunday game. Kailangan pa namin mag-improve lalo na nagalit si Coach Sean sa akin. Eight seconds violation nga naman in the crucial part. Dun pa naman ako mag-i-improve.”
“Wala nga kasi talaga kaming matanda sa team. Nandito kami at binibigyan kami ni coach Sean ng (tulong). Kami na yung nandiyan ba. Kailangan namin panindigan yung pagkukulang na yun. Dapat namin matutunan as soon as possible,” the Davaoeno sophomore added.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Such is the unpredictability of Season 88 that FEU — currently in seventh place — still remains in the hunt for a Final Four berth despite a 4-6 record. Had they been eliminated earlier, that locker-room talk from their second-year mentor might never have taken place.
Now, with their postseason hopes alive, the Tamaraws feel determined to make the most out of this opportunity to end their semifinal drought dating back to Season 84.
“Just like I said to the guys in the locker room, this puts us in a situation where if we continue to play good basketball, we’re in the conversation and we’re ahead of schedule. I know a lot of people didn’t expect us to be in the conversation at this point,” Chambers said.
“We’re 2-1 in the second round. We felt like, going into the season, there are certain teams we’d like to sweep if possible, and then there are three teams that we need to try and split with. One of them is in our next game (against) UST, and we’ll see if we could maybe steal a game from La Salle and NU. If we can, then we’re in a really good situation.”
