FEU head coach Sean Chambers during their game against Adamson in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament, November 2, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media
MANILA -- Far Eastern University may have escaped with a win on Sunday night, but they were not spared from a scolding from head coach Sean Chambers.
After the Tamaraws survived the Adamson Soaring Falcons in overtime, 73-70, in their second round encounter in UAAP Season 88, the FEU bench tactician took some time with his team in the locker room.
READ: Mongcopa, Pasaol deliver as FEU outlasts Adamson in OT
During the post-game press conference, Chambers said he talked to his players about maturity, especially in closing out games.
"I'm sorry we're late, I kinda scolded them in the locker room. We played great basketball for three quarters and in the fourth quarter we showed a little bit of immaturity. I feel we're at a point in their basketball careers where we need to show a bit more leadership, finishing off the game in the right way," he said.
FEU led by as much as 13 points in the third quarter before being outscored by Adamson in the final frame to force overtime.
"I'm not happy how we finished it off because we should be better. But that's part of their youth. You go through these steps to get to the maturity level mentally. We wanna be able to finish off a game like I just saw NU finished off La Salle," Chambers said.
The FEU head coach still lauded his wards for the win, especially Kirby Mongcopa, who tallied a double-double of 17 rebounds, 11 points, and 4 assists, including the crucial block on Mathew Montebon.
"I'm happy for the win, this league is incredible. Every game has been like this so I'm really happy for our guys. I'm looking at Kirby's numbers, 17 rebounds for a freshman and 11 points, that's incredible," he said.
"Kudos to Adamson, I may say. Part of the reason we're running our offense is from what I watch from Adamson and what they do. Because they're one of the most disciplined teams with their offensive structure in our league," Chambers added.
LEARNING FROM THEIR MISTAKES
The FEU Tamaraws during their game against Adamson in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament, November 2, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media
The FEU Tamaraws vowed to heed the call of their head coach, seeking to avoid another meltdown which may force overtime.
"Yun na nga eh. Yung sabi ni coach Sean sa locker room kanina, 'di na dapat aabot sa overtime kung nag stay consistent kami at naging disiplinado pa. May game na naman kami sa Sunday, yung mga pagkukulang namin ngayon doon naman i-e-execute," Janrey Pasaol said.
Pasaol acknowledged his crucial error in the final stretch, taking it as a lesson for future games.
"Wala nga kasi kaming matanda talaga sa team. Nandito na kami, binibigyan kami ni coach Sean ng [tiwala]. Kami na yung nandiyan ba. Kailangan namin panindigan yung pagkukulang na yun dapat namin matutunan as soon as possible," he said.
For his part, Mongcopa said he will stick to coach Chambers' game plan and preach discipline among his teammates.
"Kailangan namin ng isa't-isa ng disciplina, paano mag control ng ganun na laro ba. Kasi yun nga hindi sana dapat aabot ng overtime kung disciplined lang kami sa second half. Sa practice na ulit pagkatapos ng gabi na ito, ensayo ulit para sa next game," he said.
With the overtime victory against Adamson, FEU keeps its Final Four hunt alive.
"Just like what I said to the guys in the locker room, this puts ourself in a situation where if we continue to play good basketball, we're in the conversation. I know a lot of people didn't expect us to be in the conversation still in the second half of the season," Chambers said.
"It's been an amazing season. I'm happy that we've been able to put ourselves in the conversation, that we're still in the conversation at this time of the season. Because we're still young. We still don't have seniors out here leading like other teams do," he added.
FEU will next face the UST Growling Tigers on November 9 at the Araneta Coliseum.