BLOODIED but unbowed.
After starting its campaign with five straight losses, Far Eastern University has notched two victories in a row, counting a stunning 47-44 triumph over National University last Sunday in the 85th UAAP basketball tournament.
Tams coach Olsen Racela said his wards’ two triumphs at the end of the first round could galvanize them in their bid to reach the Final Four.
“Malaking confidence booster ito. Getting wins makes things easier to motivate players.
When we were in that funk or losing streak, kung ano-anong motivation ang ginamit ko sa kanila but they saw that we can get wins,” Racela said. “Sinabi ko in our first three losses as long as we can play the wins will come.
“Sasabihin ko pa rin iyon, ganoon pa rin, as long as they put in the effort it will give us a chance in the endgame. That’s all I want as a coach,” he added.
The gutsy win that came on the heels of a 75-60 drubbing of University of Santo Tomas six days ago that raised the Morayta-based five’s mark to 2-5, keeping them very much alive in the chase for a semis slot.
The Bulldogs, coming off a shocking 80-76 escape over La Salle last Wednesday, dropped to 5-2 in a tie with Ateneo.
Racela is hoping FEU will show its real worth in the second round.
“Itong panalo namin does not mean anything dahil may second round pa but it gave us a fighting chance. Ang sabi ko nga sa kanila, iyong Adamson, which started at the sixth spot before the game last Saturday, biglang No. 4 na ngayon,” Racela said.
“Anything can happen with just one win so iyon ang sinabi ko sa kanila. I know malayo pa kami, but this will give us that confidence and chance.”
