FEU should not be ashamed of UAAP Finals loss, says Racela

MANILA, Philippines – There’s nothing to be ashamed about losing in the UAAP finals.

That’s the parting message of Far Eastern University head coach Nash Racela for his Tamaraws, who fought valiantly against a fierce National University in a Finals series that went the distance.

“We’ve been very consistent with them that as long as you give your best, you should be proud of yourself,” Racela shared what he told his young team after the Bulldogs defeated them in Game 3 to claim the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball crown.

“If you look at that series, I think they gave it their best. Sinubukan naman nila eh (They tried). Nothing to be ashamed of. I don’t think the FEU community is not happy. I think they’re all satisfied with what they did.”

The Tamaraws were on fire offensively and took Game 1 of the series. But it became difficult for them to come up with another good offensive showing as NU’s defense locked down on them in Games 2 and 3.

At the start of the season, nobody predicted a Finals apperance for them. While they were considered contenders, they were also considered to be too young and inexperienced to go all the way. Losing backcourt tandem Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia to the pros also hurt FEU’s chances. 

Because of that, reaching the Finals in itself is already a worthy accomplishment, the coach feels.

“I think we overachieved as a group,” Racela said. “At the start of the season nobody said we’d make the Final Four, but we made the Finals. I think we can’t request for more from the players. They gave everything they’ve got, the effort was there despite falling short.”

Booting out last year’s champions De La Salle Green Archers in the Final Four is also something to be proud of.

“We defeated the defending champion. That in itself is an achievement.” 

Racela’s program just finished its second year since he was hired in 2012 and was the school’s first trip back to the Finals since being swept back-to-back by Ateneo in 2010-2011. The Tamaraws remain a young squad as only Anthony Hargrove and Carl Cruz are graduating this year.

“Not because we lost the championship to NU, it means we failed. Looking back, we’re on our second year of our program. Coach Eric (Altamirano) I think is on his 5th. It’s actually a surprise that in our second year we’re here already. You’ll never know,” he explained, noting that time can only do them good. 

“If you look at NU, that’s why they have that kind of discipline is because they’ve been doing it for 5 years. Kahit nakapikit, kahit hindi na sila mag-usap, alam na nila dapat nila gawin – something that we still lack. I think time will help us.” (Even if they have their eyes closed, even if they don’t talk, they know what to do.)

Racela reasons that FEU’s accomplishment speaks highly of the school’s basketball program. 

“Looking back, of the 4 schools that entered the Final Four, the 3 teams they have big (financial) backers. With FEU it’s the school that supports the basketball program.”

The future looks bright for FEU especially for next season with its core still intact. According to Racela, there are about 49 basketball players in total for FEU including its teams B and C, which means he has some options for players to elevate to team A.

And if the UAAP pushes through with its plans to move the men’s basketball tournament to September next season, owing to adjustments in the academic calender of its member schools, then FEU will have plenty of time to work on making it back to the Finals.

“It’s a long year,” Racela said. “We’re hoping to be stronger next year.” – Rappler.com