AS THE hunt for the remaining Final Four spots in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament intensifies, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws will face the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers today.
Taking their aspirations for a Final Four comeback one game at a time, the young FEU club has been outstanding in their quest to surge above the tight standings following a sluggish start this season.
Meanwhile, DLSU has established themselves as a force to be reckoned with this season. They presently lead the rankings, with a 10-1 win-loss record and a twice-to-beat advantage.
With a lot on the line for the Tamaraws, they will try to unseat the defending champs Green Archers from their comfortable throne as they face off today, November 6, at 3:30 PM in the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
A must win for the Tamaraws
With three games remaining for FEU, namely DLSU, Ateneo, and UP, every game is now a must-win for them to secure one from the season’s remaining Final Four tickets, beginning with the Taft squad today.
The Tamaraws were winless in their first encounter, but they held their ground against a more experienced Green Archers team. Despite struggling, it ended in a close 62-68 loss, nearly pulling off an upset.
Nonetheless, they’ve turned their season around in the second round, and are currently securing wins to extend it. FEU is coming off a dominant 59-51 win over the third-seeded UE Red Warriors last Sunday.
This brings the Tamaraws’ record to 4-7, tied for fifth with the AdU Soaring Falcons, and they are 3-1 in the second round, with their only loss coming from UST, where Veejay Pre dropped a career-high 31 points.
PREpared to take charge
Pre has been leading the charge for the team with his consistent performances. Following a career-high performance, the 6-foot-5 all-around big man went on to score 20 points, eight rebounds, and one block.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
“Pagkatapos ng first round sabi ni Coach Sean mag-iiba kami sa second round, mas magiging hungry kami sa wins. Proud na proud ako sa team namin kasi sa practice pa lang work hard na talaga kami and disciplined,” said Pre.
“Ang pinaka-main goal ko talaga ay makatulong and manalo every game. Naging motivation lang sa akin yung mga pagkatalo namin [against UST].”
“Pero yun nga, sabi ni Coach Sean sakin na, ‘I believe in you,’ at parang dun na-realize ko nga na kailangan ko mag tuloy-tuloy,” added the 19-year-old rookie star.
Pre’s strong performances allowed him to extend his lead for the Rookie of the Year award, and he is now in contention for MVP and Mythical 5, based on the most recent statistical points tally.
FEUture of PH basketball
FEU head coach Sean Chambers is pleased to see the 19-year-old big man leading the team despite being one of the youngest members. Pre, in his opinion, will be the future of not only the league, but also Philippine basketball.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
“Honestly, you still have not seen the best of Veejay. Veejay is tremendous, and he’s just still getting comfortable, he still hasn’t 100% shown his complete batch, as we say. He can do so much more, and he’s just getting there,” said Chambers.
“Hopefully, one day he’s representing the country. I think Veejay is that talented. And I think he’s the future of the UAAP, and the future of Philippine basketball, as well as other guys.”
“But he’s definitely that talented because he can shoot the three ball, and he can put the ball on the ground,” added Chambers, describing the former Batang Gilas member’s stellar talent.
With the Pre peaking at the right time, along with Jorick Bautista’s hot shooting, outgoing Royce Alforque and Cholo Añonuevo’s smarts, FEU will seek to upset the DLSU Green Archers and bag another huge win.
