Far Eastern University head coach Sean Chambers finally celebrated his first win in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, guiding the Tamaraws to a thrilling 66-65 overtime victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday.
For the 59-year-old PBA legend, who secured six championships with the Alaska Aces, this victory was significant not only for him but also for the entire coaching staff.
That includes Denok Miranda, Bert Flores, and Gabby Severino, who have been instrumental in helping him transition into the role of a UAAP coach.
Chambers emphasized the collective effort behind the team’s success.
“All the coaches are important to what we’re doing. I know everybody’s making an adjustment with me as the leader. But I value everybody and what they bring to the table for us,” he said after their first win in Season 87.
Among the coaching staff, Severino has emerged as a particularly valuable asset, bringing championship experience from his time at Ateneo.
While head coaches often receive the most recognition, Chambers understands the necessity of having competent assistants to contribute fresh ideas and strategies.
“Gabby’s phenomenal. He’s my right-hand man right now. He’s my first assistant,” he said.
“I love everything that Gabby brings to the table. But basically, we’ve all studied the video and we put up a game plan and we stuck to it.”
Severino was a former assistant coach to Baldwin. And he has done wonders for the Tamaraws, especially against the Blue Eagles.
It was just last season when FEU swept Ateneo, thanks to the heroics of L-Jay Gonzales and the game plan of Severino.
With this first victory secured, Chambers turns his focus to fostering growth within the team.
He recognizes that, to achieve this, he and his coaching staff must adequately prepare the players.
The competition in the league is fierce, and as an assistant for Gilas Pilipinas, Chambers feels motivated by the knowledge that his peers are also diligently preparing their teams.
“I really believe all the coaches at this level are dynamite,” said Chambers. “I watched so much game film and I learned so much already from all the coaches in this league and what they’re teaching their kids as well as everybody from the PBA.
“Basketball is a life here, and you’re never gonna outcoach a coach. What you’re gonna do is get your kids most prepared to play in those games.”
Chambers also expressed his admiration for the level of play across the league, stating, “But all the coaches here are great. I’m completely blown away by the execution of UP and by the way that Adamson plays. I’m impressed with NU and how they’re continuing to battle without an FSA and all the way down the line with how UE is doing right now.”
He concluded with a clear goal:
“Everybody is really good at what they do here, so my job is to elevate my guys (and) the game plan for them so that they have a chance to win games.”
