Ever wondered why Trae Young is on a placard for FEU head coach Sean Chambers? Turns out a former PBA champion with Red Bull is a key inspiration.
FEU head coach Sean Chambers revealed the inspiration behind the “Trae Young play” of the Tamaraws in the UAAP after recently taking a big win over the UE Red Warriors in round 2 of Season 87.
Chambers, who has been practicing a unique way of play calling with placards on the sidelines, acknowledged Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Antonio Lang on social media — who he said gave him advice for his head coaching stint with the Morayta-based squad.
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On Instagram, the decorated PBA import thanked Lang, accompanied with a photo of himself gesturing to the placard with Young’s image during their Nov. 3 game against the Red Warriors.
“Big shout-out to my brother, Antonio Lang, assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks. When I needed some advice, my brother took my call and gave me some great insight and [a] few plays. I appreciate you my brother,” wrote Chambers.
Lang, 52, was a former PBA import with coach Yeng Guiao's Red Bull Thunder where he won two PBA championships. He was also awarded PBA Best Import in the 2001 Commissioner's Cup.
A former NBA player as well, Lang played with multiple teams in the 1990s including the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, and the Philadelphia 76ers.
As a coach, Lang was tenured with the Utah Jazz and the Cavs before joining the Hawks — all in an assistant capacity.
For a coaching neophyte like Chambers, Lang’s lengthy experience proved pivotal in helping the 6-time PBA champion realize his team’s potential. Currently, the Tamaraws are still fighting for a Final Four spot in Season 87 with their 4-7 record, buoyed by their 3-1 mark in the second round.
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Apart from Trae Young, other images that the Tamaraws use in their play calls are icons like team logos of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Portland Trailblazers, as well as other signals like a number five.
(Photo by RM Chua/One Sports)
Chambers will likely go to Lang’s playbook again as the season goes on. FEU resumes their bid for a semis spot when they go up against defending champions La Salle in their next game on Wednesday, November 6, at the Mall of Asia Arena.