Raging Tamaraws: Chambers parades solid roster for Season 89

Far Eastern University’s (FEU) honeymoon period under head coach Sean Chambers is over.

The third-year American mentor expects results in the coming University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.

After coming up short of the Final Four in Chambers’ first two years, the tactician believes the Tamaraws are meant to reach greater heights this time with a more mature, disciplined and talented crew.

“I think it’s exactly identical to basketball and sports that when you have your third year is when you’re going to start seeing your full transformation happen,” Chambers said.

“Because now you’re speaking the same language. Your expectations are the same way. Your mode of method or mode of operation is now in place,” he added.

The Tamaraws’ campaign in the last two years saw their gradual rise from a sixth-place finish with a 5-9 record in Season 87 in Chambers’ debut to a level higher the following tournament in fifth with an even 7-7 slate.

Following the FEU’s trajectory, Chambers has high hopes for a Final Four return with an almost intact lineup.

“There’s nothing new to our guys this year other than a few tweaks. A few new plays here and there. But right now I think I can honestly say the command of our defense, the command of our offense, those guys own it and they know it now. And that usually takes about three years for that to happen,” said Chambers, who is also a Gilas Pilipinas assistant coach.

The season host Tamaraws are extra motivated to reach the Final Four and, if fate permits, go all the way to the championship to end a decade-long wait for the crown.

FEU is stacked with talent and is armed to the teeth.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Janrey Pasaol is back to lead the Tamaraws’ charge anew.

Backing him up are holdovers Kirby Mongcopa, Jedric Daa, big man Mo Konateh and veteran Jorick Bautista. Rojan Montemayor, Luke Felipe and second foreign student-athlete Montell Shelton are also reinforcing FEU.

But the biggest ace up the Tamaraws is its recruitment coup after landing homegrown Season 88 Juniors MVP 6-foot-5 forward Cabs Cabonillas and Marc Burgos.

FEU also got Filipino-American Elias Gish for a well-balanced and formidable lineup.

“I don’t think anybody outside this room is not aware of the roster that we have now. When you add an MVP in Cabonillas. You add a really amazing kid in Marc Burgos and you’re all gonna be really, really surprised by the skill level of Elias Gish,” Chambers said.

“Those are three dynamic players that we’re gonna add to; I believe it is 10 guys that we already have returning,” he added.

But what FEU has on paper is still yet to be tested on court.

The Tamaraws open their campaign against Adamson University on Sunday, slated at 12 noon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.