Fresh start for FEU as Sean Chambers puts full trust in young guns for Season 88

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FEU head coach Sean Chambers leans on the trio of Janrey Pasaol, Jedric Daa, and Kirby Mongcopa, believing that the Tamaraws can make the Final Four, or even reach the finals

MANILA, Philippines – After Veejay Pre’s sudden exit, the FEU Tamaraws will get a fresh start, one that is built on a next-man-up mentality. 

According to Tamaraws head coach Sean Chambers, the team will now be leaning on a core led by Janrey Pasaol, Jedric Daa, and Kirby Mongcopa, all products of the FEU-Diliman high school program. 

“This will be a different group but with great familiarity with one another,” Chambers told Rappler. “I think our guards are going to have a great year. Kirby, John Ray, and Jedric, I feel, are like some of the best guards in the league. So the expectation of them is super high.”

Chambers said the trio has taken a leadership role within the team, picking up the reins left by Pre, who moved to UP after weeks of transfer rumors. 

“I’m really happy how they have taken charge and leadership on the team… When they lead by example, we are solid,” he said. 

FEU finished sixth last year with a 5-9 record but showed glimpses of its potential in numerous close games against eventual champion UP Fighting Maroons and the La Salle Green Archers, then led by two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao.

Pre was the standout back then, winning the Rookie of the Year honors, before his departure left a gaping hole in the Tamaraws’ future. 

For Chambers, Pre’s exit is now a thing of the past as he hopes to see more players step up to fill the void the talented forward left. 

“What I emphasized with our team is that we operate on a next-man-up basis. We also keep receipts, meaning we remember what happened on any certain game, and build on that to be better,” he said. 

Chambers has so much confidence in his wards that he believes FEU can go as far as the finals.

“I expect nothing less again for us to be in the Final Four or be in the championship. That is how much I trust these guys.”

Aside from Pre, the team also lost key standouts from last year, including Royce Alforque and Cholo Anonuevo. 

But Chambers trusts his team would come out swinging no matter who they face in the season. 

“We want to make sure we’re coming at every team at every game with a certain passion and belief that we’re going to win.” – Rappler.com