After back-to-back seasons of missing the Final Four, can new leadership steer the FEU Tamaraws back to playoff contention?
A new coach, a new system, and several new faces in, the FEU Tamaraws are braving through Season 87 filled with a new sense of urgency.
Team captain Royce Alforque knows one thing is certain amid the sea of changes that happened for the Morayta-based squad.
“Maraming pwedeng mangyari ngayon. Alam kong lalaban kami,” Alforque bared to One Sports.
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FEU went-all in the offseason, replacing head coach Denok Miranda with former Alaska Milkmen and six-time PBA import Sean Chambers.
[ALSO READ: UAAP Season 87 team preview: Promising FEU roster aim for resurgence under coach Sean Chambers]
Despite the departures of some key players in LJay Gonzales, Xyrus Torres, Patrick Sleat, and Mo Faty to name a few, the Tamaraws welcomed a new batch of players in Veejay Pre, Janrey Pasaol, Jedric Daa, and Mo Konateh. Alforque, who is now in his final year, is more than ready to help and be a role model to the rookies.
“Sa akin talaga as a veteran, makaiwan lang ako ng magandang alam mo 'yun, kahit Final Four. Gusto kong makaiwan ng magandang culture na sana mashare ko sa mga younger guys tulad nina Jorick [Bautista], Cholo [Anonuevo], [Janrey] Pasaol, ‘yung mga bata pa.”
[ALSO READ: Is Sean Chambers going to run the Triangle at FEU?]
Another FEU player who also looks forward to bounce back after some injury setbacks in the past is Cholo Anonuevo.
“This season, I’m not really thinking about what happened to me last year, just learning from it, and just getting better this upcoming season, and just trying to be available for the team and the young guys.”
One of them is sharpshooter Jorick Bautista, who now takes a bigger role as one of the co-captains for the Tamaraws alongside Cholo Anonuevo.
“Sobrang excited para sa’kin kasi ‘yun nga panibagong role na malaki which is tatanggapin ko naman," said Bautista, who averaged 12.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists last year.
“Isang privilege din ‘yun para sa’kin na mapakita ‘yung pinaghirapan ko dito sa mga extra work para malabas ko rin ‘yung [tunay na] laro at lalong makatulong sa team.”
Bautista, alongside the homegrown talents in rookie Janrey Pasaol, are now expected to fill in the shoes left by another great Tamaraw guard in Gonzales.
“This season, I’m not really thinking about what happened to me last year, just learning from it, and just getting better this upcoming season, and just trying to be available for the team and the young guys.”
With their last Finals appearance coming in 2015, can the new-look green and gold squad turn things around under the new reigns of Chambers.
[NEXT: https://www.onesports.ph/uaap/article/24140/uaap-season-87-team-preview-promising-feu-roster-aim-for-resurgence-under-coach-sean-chambers]