Xyrus Torres delivered in a big way to help Far Eastern University seal its most impressive win yet in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The former Baby Tamaraw contributed 22 points – behind six-out-of-12 three-point shooting – in the Tamaraws’ come-from-behind, 75-68 victory over University of the East Red Warriors.
“Siyempre masaya kasi nakabawi kami, pero siyempre hindi pa rin kuntento. Kahit sa start namin, yun yung laging sakit namin. Dapat first quarter pa lang, hundred percent eh. So di dapat nangyayari sa amin yung slow start,” said the 6-foot guard out of FEU-Diliman.
“Yun nga, marami pa namang games. For sure, makakapag-adjust kami para di na mangyari ulit yung ganung situation.”
Down by as much as 15 points twice in the game, the Tamaraws dug deep to get their third straight victory. After a 0-5 start to the season, FEU might now actually have an outside chance of making it to the postseason.
For the Morayta school to continue its newfound momentum, it needs Torres – who had to deal with a battle of self-doubt – to continue delivering from the three-point line.
“Nag-struggle ako nung first round and dumating sa point na kinausap ako ni coach Olsen (Racela) one-on-one tungkol sa nangyayari. Sinabi ko lang sa kanya na coach, parang na-pe-pressure ako,” said the 22-year-old native of Pampanga.
“Sinabi lang niya na hindi ko kailangan ma-pressure kasi hindi lang offense ang hinihingi namin sa inyo.
“Binibigyan pa rin niya ako ng trust, and siyempre… Lalong-lalo na sa teammates ko, credit din sa kanila. Kahit ganun yung situation ko, binibigyan pa rin nila ako ng confidence kahit mapa-training.”
For his part, Racela’s faith in his young standout never wavered. As a veteran in the world of basketball, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel assistant coach knows how important confidence is to players on the floor.
While coaches can be hard on their players to motivate them, they can also be some of their biggest cheerleaders. Torres needed support in a difficult time and he got it from the former national team member.
“Well sinasabi ko naman kay Xyrus na he’s more than just a shooter. Ang value niya sa amin is not just his shooting but also his defense,” said Racela. “Nagtataka nga siya kung bakit ko siya binibigyang playing time. Sabi ko hindi lang shooting tinitignan natin eh. He was really consistent with his defense.
“Nakita niyo kanina rin, ganun pa rin, consistent pa rin sa defense niya. Ang difference lang ngayon, pumapasok na mga tira niya. He deserves his minutes. I trust na he’ll get his shooting back.”
Against the pressing Red Warriors, Torres and his teammates only committed nine turnovers throughout 40 minutes of action.
Knowing how similar UE and De La Salle University plays because of the Pumaren influence, this will come in handy when the Tamaraws will take on the Green Archers on Wednesday.
“Team best namin yan for this season. I’m hoping we can do that against La Salle also kasi sila they really force turnovers. I’m proud of what we did especially with taking care of the basketball and sharing the basketball,” said Racela.
