FEU, UST keep faith

Despite a forgettable performance in the first round, Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas are keeping the faith, hoping that they can turn things around in the second round of Season 85 University Athletic Association of the Philippines men's basketball tournament.

Boosted by their back-to-back wins to end the first round, the Tamaraws vowed to go all out as they are still very much alive in the race for the Final Four.

FEU closed its first-round campaign with a shocking 47-44 win over National University, giving it massive momentum as it heads for the second round starting this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With that, the Tamaraws will enter the second round with a 2-5 win-loss record.

"Our last win might not mean much but it gave us a fighting chance in the second round," said FEU coach Olsen Racela, adding that all it takes is one win for them to change their fate.

"I told them that Adamson, which started at sixth before the game last Saturday, is now at No. 4. So, anything can happen with just one win."

"That's what I've been telling them. We still have a long way to go, but this will give us that confidence."

The Falcons, who are being handled by Olsen's brother, Nash, are in a three-way tie at the fourth spot with University of the East and De La Salle University toting 3-4 win-loss slates. FEU is just one and half games behind.

Leading the pack after the first round is repeat-seeking University of the Philippines with a 6-1 record following close behind are Ateneo de Manila University and National University with identical 5-2 marks.

Racela hopes to keep the fire of their mini-run burning as the Tamaraws begin their push for the playoffs.

FEU will start its second-round campaign against University of the East, which dealt the Tamaraws a 66-76 beating in their first meeting, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

"Getting wins makes things easier to motivate the players. When we were in a funk or on that losing streak, I have been trying all things to keep them motivated," Racela said.

"But they saw that we can get wins. I told them in our first three losses as long as we play that way the wins will come. As long as they put in the effort that will give us a chance in the endgame, that's all we want. That's what I want as a coach."

Racela hopes that his wards led by Bryan Sajonia, Patrick Sleat, Xyrus Torres and LJ Gonzales will bring the positives and the lessons learned during their bumpy start into their last seven assignments in the elimination round.

"I think we're playing well especially defensively, that's what we want to bring (to the second round). But more than that, we want to carry the belief that we can compete now with our present lineup," Racela said.

"Everyone just needs to be confident, acknowledge each other, and help out each other. We need total team effort. Everyone must contribute."

On the same note, the Growling Tigers remain optimistic about their semifinal chances as they seek to give Bal David a fitting end to his first year as head coach.

UST lumbers at the bottom of the standings with six straight losses after opening its campaign with an impressive 66-60 win over Adamson.

"Hopefully this second round, we'll be able to adjust," David said.

"I'll just use this experience. Just leave it to us, the negative sides, just leave it to the coaches. I want my players in second round, fresh again. Let us, the coaching staff, take the negatives and everything."

"I kept telling them, knowing we just started, at least your showing patience and working with just two months preparation when I got the job. At least we've seen some positive sides but we still need to work together, us in the coaching staff. We'll take all the blame but the kids, please spare them."