Charmie Lising 6y

UAAP Season 81 preview: Tamaraws eager to bounce back from last year's heartbreak

Philippines Basketball

Last season, the FEU Tamaraws came so close to clinching a finals berth.

It was Game 2 of their Final Four matchup against Ateneo. The stage was set for a game-winning play designed for Arvin Tolentino, who had 8.5 seconds to break a 75-all deadlock. The former Blue Eagle was ready to make his move but in a split moment of indecision, he ended up losing the ball, which paved the way for the eventual champions to finish them off in overtime.

"Sometimes, I still think about it. We were one stop away, one basket away from the finals," recalled Tolentino. "But for me, that's not the only reason for redemption. I just think of my desire to win a championship."

While Tolentino and the rest of the FEU squad have since moved on from that heartbreak, head coach Olsen Racela believes that last year's missed opportunity can help fuel them in their campaign.

"Aside from learning from our past mistakes from last year, it's also one way of motivating us to do better this year," he said.

The Tamaraws, who have reached the Final Four nine times in the last ten seasons, will bank on their experience as they face the new season head on.

The team will have a veteran group of guys at its disposal. Aside from Tolentino, Prince Orizu, Axel Iñigo, Wendell Comboy, Richard Escoto, Ken Tuffin, and Jasper Parker are all eager to settle some unfinished business. Given that Racela is entering his second year on the job, the players are expected to have a better understanding of the system, on top of displaying improved chemistry on the court.

"Since this is my second year, it's more of our familiarity with what we want to do and what we want to achieve. I think we're more used to each other," said Racela.

The 47-year-old coach mentioned that he's entrusting his playmakers Iñigo, Parker, and rookie LJ Gonzales to steer the team. He's also looking at Tuffin and Comboy to be the team's main defensive weapons.

"Since I'm a point guard myself, I'm giving the responsibility to the point guards when it comes to leading the team and being vocal," he said. "On defense, we're trying to develop KT (Tuffin) to be that stopper for us and, of course, Wendell Comboy. We try to improve on our team defense, not just individual, but we want specific guys to be able to lock down on specific shooters of the opposing team."

With a mature and battle-tested roster, the Tamaraws are in a good position to gun for the trophy they last hoisted in 2015. Racela, however, is not looking that far ahead. For now, all he can promise is that the players will pour their hearts out every game.

"We just want to live up to what we, the Tams, always say. We'll be brave," he said. "That's all the FEU community expect from us, to give our all and give our hundred percent effort in everything we do. I think the results will follow."

"Every season is different from the last one," Racela continued. "Like any other team, we're taking it gradually, one game at a time. Our real goal is to win as many games as possible, get to to the Final Four, and see what happens from there."

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