First-time coach Sean Chambers admits making a wrong call late in regulation as the FEU Tamaraws battled the Adamson Falcons in Round 2 of UAAP Season 87.
FEU Tamaraws head coach Sean Chambers cheekily thanked his player Jorick Bautista after the latter hit the game-tying triple late in regulation as they eked out an OT win over Adamson Soaring Falcons, 76-72, in UAAP Season 87 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
Not only did Bautista emerge anew as FEU’s late-game hero, his booming three-pointer in the last few seconds of regulation also reversed a late game error from Chambers himself.
[RELATED: UAAP: FEU trounces Adamson in overtime, begins second round on high note]
The FEU tactician, who is in his first year coaching in the collegiate ranks, committed a crucial mistake when the Tamaraws were only behind by a point, 55-56, and he told Jan Rey Pasaol to foul Monty Montebon which sent the Adamson player to the foul line with a good 28.6 seconds remaining on the clock.
Instead of being able to go for a stop and drawing up an offensive play in the next possession, the Tamaraws ended up in a more difficult situation as Montebon drilled his free throws to make it a three-point advantage for Adamson, 58-55.
Fortunately for FEU and for Chambers, the ball ended up in the right player’s hands when it mattered the most.
“First, I'm going to say this, thank you to Doi. There's a philosophy sometimes like you foul when there's still time in the clock to extend the game, but that's not what I was thinking. What I was thinking was I need to wear my glasses when I'm coaching,” Chambers said.
“Because I thought there was 20 seconds left in the game when we took that early foul. But Doi hits the big three, and puts [the game] into overtime for us."
The heroics didn’t end there for Bautista and the rest of the Tamaraws either, as they came out with nerves of steel in the clutch moments of the ball game.
Even as Montebon continued to find the target for the Soaring Falcons, the Tamaraws just wouldn’t be denied. After a sub-par showing in the first round, things are finally looking up — at least according to Chambers.
“What we're seeing, what I thought about this morning is we're really like four and a half months into this journey with me as the head coach, and we're starting to see the light on some of our offense and some of our schemes, and I just feel that these guys are just getting there,” said Chambers.
“And I keep saying it's just going to take every now and then [that] one of our older Kuyas, [stepping up] and hit a big shot to help us get over the hill for the young guys. Our defense was phenomenal. We did a great job,” he added.
Chambers beamed with pride that his players were already buying into his system — which proved effective as the Tamaraws also clawed back from a sluggish start in the first quarter where they trailed, 6-14, at the end of the first canto.
“They bought into what our game plan was. I don't know. I'm just so proud of them, and again, the wins and losses, I wanted so much for the players than myself because I think they deserve it,” said the former PBA import.
Apart from Bautista’s contributions, Chambers also acknowledged big man Mo Konateh. He was one rebound away from a UAAP record, as he finished with a double-double of 13 points and 26 rebounds.
“They're earning it, and they're getting there, so I cannot be more proud, and you know, Mo with 26 rebounds… That's pretty amazing for a rookie, and Mo, and Doi hitting big shots for us down the stretch, so I'm just so happy for the guys. They're buying into what we're trying to do. We practice hard all week, and we're getting there,” he said.
FEU hopes to ride the momentum of this win when they face the NU Bulldogs on Wednesday, October 16, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, Adamson, who were led by Montebon’s 16 markers, faces defending champions DLSU next on Saturday, October 19, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.