COACH Nash Racela looks at the defending champion Far Eastern University Tamaraws as underdogs this season in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.
The absence of six veterans, after they won the crown last year and finished with an 11-3 win-loss record, is something to consider.
Racela believes that the presence of three other veterans and how they blend well with rookies, most of them coming from Team B, can make a difference.
“You’re starting over with younger guys. But, what works for us now is that they’re not totally new to me. A lot of them had been with us for one or two years,” said Racela.
Coming back are mainstays Monbert Arong, Raymar Jose and Prince Orizu. They welcome Fil-American guard Ken Tuffin into the roster.
The Tams have so far won 20 championships, making them the winningest squad after they surpassed the 18 titles won by University of the East and University of Santo Tomas.
Over the last three months, Racela said he and the coaching staff have developed the squad into a run-and-gun team.
“Our identity in FEU has always been the same. We fight and we never give up. Our style is run and gun team ball. I think those are the things that over the years we’ve been consistent,” said Racela.
Also in the roster are Kimlee Bayquin, Brandrey Bienes, Wendel Comboy, Ron Dennison, August Denila, Kevin Ebona and Fil-Norwegian big man Ken Holmqvist,
They also have Achie Inigo, Joseph Nunag, rookie Stephen Roxas and Joe Allen Trinidad.
