FIRST-TIME collegiate coach Olsen Racela and Far Eastern University (FEU) fell short against Ateneo de Manila in the Final Four of the Season 80 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament last Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
But Racela and the Tamaraws have nothing to be ashamed of.
“We were one stop away from making it to the Finals,” said Racela shortly after falling to the Ateneo Blue Eagles in overttime, 84-88, in their do-or-die Final Four duel on Wednesday.
FEU, seeded fourth in the semifinals, appeared headed to shredding No. 1 Ateneo’s twice-to-beat advantage when Jasper Parker scored four straight points in regulation to give his team a 75-72 breather.
But with only 14 seconds left, Ateneo’s Isaac Go was left open and hit a cold-blooded game-tying triple.
Arvin Tolentino, a former Blue Eagle, had eight seconds to salvage the win for FEU but lost himself in an isolation play against Go. The Tamaraw never got to make a shot in that play that forced overtime at 75-all.
FEU lost steam while Ateneo caught fire in overtime with Matt Nieto and Go waxing hot to prime themselves up for their best-of-three championship showdown against their archrival De La Salle Green Archers starting tomorrow.
“The loss doesn’t define us. I’m just proud the way we grew this season. I’m excited for next year,” Racela said. “As you can see, we were a completely different team in the semifinals series. That was where our season started.”
The Tamaraws under Racela’s first season struggled in the eliminations and barely made the Final Four with a 7-7 record. FEU reached top form in the semifinals when it shocked Ateneo, 80-67, last Sunday.
Graduating players Prince Orizu, Jojo Trinidad and Ron Dennison played their last UAAP game and Racela apologized to the three players for failing to bring them to the Finals.
“The growth of Ron is actually a reflection of the growth of the team. I think his growth from pre-season up to his final game reflects the team,” Racela said.
Image credits: Alysa Salen