By Aimerose C. Atienza

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws Head Coach Olsen Racela gave acknowledgment to the support of the FEU community after battling six games in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.

“First of all, I [would] like to thank the whole FEU community. Actually, ngayon ko lang nakita na grabe ‘yung crowd up until the bleachers. Grabe ‘yung suporta nila from 0-5 start, ganoon pa rin ang suporta nila (Actually, I just saw that the crowd up to the bleachers was huge. Their support was great from 0-5 start, their support is still the same),” Racela said.

The Tamaraws had a lackluster start after opening the season on a five-game losing skid against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, University of the East Red Warriors, University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, Adamson University Soaring Falcons and the De La Salle University Green Archers.

FEU captured their first win of the tourney on high morale over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers with a dominating 15-point victory, 75-60.

Racela added that the team was happy with the support they have received and they dedicate the games to the FEU community.

“We’re actually happy that nandito sila and ‘yung suporta nila (We’re actually happy that they are here and with their support). We were playing for all [of] them, it’s nice to get our first win,” he shared.

FEU gunner Bryan Sajonia who chipped in 23 points in the match against UST also mentioned the big effect of the crowd in clinching the win and saw the possible break to win more games in Season 85.

“Malaking epekto sa amin ‘yung FEU community na sumusuporta sa amin. Ayun masaya kami dahil siguro para sa amin, ito na ‘yung break namin sa mga upcoming games pa namin (The FEU community that supports us has a big impact on us. We are happy because maybe for us, this is our break from our upcoming games),” Sajonia said.

The Morayta-based squad are now tied with the Growling Tigers with a 1-5 win-loss record and will close the first round of eliminations against top-seeded National University Bulldogs on Sunday, October 23 at the Ynares Sports Complex in Antipolo City.

(Photo courtesy of The UAAP)