Chambers refrains frompopping champagne bottle

Far Eastern University (FEU) head coach Sean Chambers is not dwelling too much on the Tamaraws’ back-to-back wins, including a shocker over defending champion De La Salle University.

For the third year mentor, it’s just the start of moving in the right direction, and maintaining that course is the real challenge.

FEU climbed up to a five-way early lead the logjam after downing the Green Archers, 90-78, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Tamaraws have moved on from an opening-day collapse against Adamson University by blowing past University of the East and La Salle for a 2-1 win-loss record.

FEU tied National University (NU), University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo de Manila University and University of Santo Tomas on the leaderboard.

Still, Chambers wants to see consistency to earn the identity as a real contender.

The former three-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Best Import winner believes the Tamaraws can prove they belong in the upper half of the power order if they can match up consistently with bigger programs.

“Sorry, I’m going to bring up my own career. Once we started, as Alaska, beating San Miguel, that’s when we knew we had arrived,” said Chambers, who helped the Milkmen turn into a dynasty back in the mid-90s.

“So, until we start beating La Salle, UP, or the top-ranked team, NU, then we’re going to know that we actually are one of the contenders. So, we have to take this game, enjoy it, but we got to move on,” he added.

FEU has won the last two head-to-head matches against the Green Archers.

The Tamaraws set the tone early and effectively repelled La Salle’s repeated attempts to mount a comeback.

Kirby Mongcopa finished with 20 points and led four other FEU players in double-figure scoring.

Rookie Cabs Cabonilas added 17, Jorick Bautista contributed 12 points, Gambian center Mo Konateh delivered an all-around performance with 10 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, four steals, and three blocks, while Jedric Daa also scored 10.

“I’m happy that we’re there,” Chambers said.

“Clearly, my first year, we were 0-5, I think, or 0-6? I don’t know. And then my next year, we were 0-4 before we won the first game. So, it does feel good to be on this side of the table for my third year,” he added.