By Aimerose C. Atienza

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws’ senior guard LJay Gonzales highlighted that the lack of camaraderie was one of the aspects they had to work on after falling short against the Lyceum of the Philippines (LPU) Pirates, 62-71, which led to their second straight loss in the 2022 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup last July 25 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

“Kailangan pa ng mas solid na samahan, ‘yun ‘yung kailangan namin maayos kasi ngayon, nakikita ko medyo parang nagkakakanya-kanya pa kami (We still need a more solid bond, that is what we need to fix because right now, I see that we are still going our own ways),” Gonzales said in an online interview with FEU Advocate.

The Morayta-based squad led by as much as nine points in the first quarter, but the great defensive and offensive stance of the Pirates coming into the second half of the game made it difficult for FEU to claim the win.

During the fourth quarter, the Tamaraws tried to mount a comeback after producing eight straight points to cut the lead down to 12, 44-56. 

However, the green-and-gold dribblers were not able to stop LPU’s Mclaude Guadaña who generated 20 points for the Pirates.

Veteran guard Gonzales chipped in with 11 points, while new recruit Rojan Montemayor had five points who suited up for FEU for the first time in the preseason cup.

Despite the loss, Montemayor remains optimistic that they can still do better as a team.

“We just need to find our identity as a team. I think we’re better than this, [and] losing is part of the process naman, may igagaling pa kami (losing is actually part of the process, we can still get better) not just physically, but [also] mentally. Trust the process,” Montemayor said.

FEU now sports a 0-2 win-loss record and will face the San Sebastian College - Recoletos (SSC-R) Golden Stags on July 27 at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of Jenny  Rose Magalona/FEU Advocate)