Denok Miranda did not have a dream start to his head coaching career at Far Eastern University last season.
Picking up where former head coach Olsen Racela left off, the former Tamaraws guard could only guide FEU to a 3-11 finish, finishing in seventh place during the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament, and missing the Final Four for the second straight season.
However, building the program is not a sprint but a marathon, and what FEU does best is provide a clear pathway for the Baby Tamaraws to become Tamaraws.
This is what motivated 6-foot-5 big man Veejay Pre to stay with FEU.
“Pinili ko po ang FEU dahil alam ko po sa puso ko na sina Coach Denok (Miranda), Coach Allan (Albano), at ibang coaches ng FEU ang tutulong sa akin papunta sa next level,” the 18-year-old Pre said.
“Hindi lang po basketball ang FEU sa akin, family ko sila at natuto ako dito maging disiplinado.”
The native of Pampanga received numerous offers after their Season 86 campaign ended.
After all, he posted elite numbers of 13.15 points, 9.62 rebounds, 1.38 blocks, and 1.31 assists per game during his senior year.
Moreover, he played a crucial role in leading FEU-Diliman to the Season 85 crown.
However, home is where the heart is. Family will always be family. That is what’s FEU for him and those are the reasons why he stayed.
Together with JR Pasaol and the other Baby Tams, Pre plans to take it one step at a time.
The first order of business is to rebuild the program, with them setting up the foundations.
“May promise din kami sa FEU nila Janrey, Kirby (Mongcopa), Jedric (Daa), at Dwyne (Miranda) na ibabalik namin ang FEU sa pagiging contender.”
