THE Far Eastern University Tamaraws were one stop away from making it to the finals.
If not for an awkward attempt from Isaac Go that went in, the Tamaraws would have reached the finals against the defending champion La Salle Green Archers in in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
Point guard Ron Dennison was not able to keep Go from making that basket with 20.1 seconds left.
Coach Olsen Racela said that their loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 84-88, in overtime does not define how they performed for the whole season.
“We were one stop away from making it to the finals. But still, this loss does not define us. I’m proud of how my players grew this season,” said Racela.
The Tams finished Season 80 with a 42.2 percent field-goal average and 44.4 rebounds. They were within their average norms against Ateneo with 42.03 percent field goals to go with 39 rebounds.
This will be second straight season that FEU will miss the finals after last winning the crown at the expense of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers back in 2015.
Racela said the boys have matured since the start of the season, learning from the philosophy of taking every game by possession.
“Now, they know how it is to play by possession. ‘Yun ang sabi ko sa kanila since the start of the season. That’s how it is. That’s how you win games,” added Racela.
He later apologized to graduating players like Dennison and Allen Trinidad, for not having brought them to the finals.