Racela still upbeat about FEU victory

FEU Tamaraws head coach Nash Racela. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

There may be shades of last season’s heartbreak, but the Far Eastern University Tamaraws don’t see that haunting them.

“It’s the same scenario, but we’re looking at a different outcome this Wednesday,” said FEU coach Nash Racela. “We’re all positive. We’re confident that we’ll get it next time.”

The Tamaraws showcased impressive depth and talent in their Game 1 victory, 75-64, and had looked set to complete a title sweep of University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP men’s basketball championship.

But the Tamaraws ran into an incredible shooting star in Kevin Ferrer, who erupted for 24 points in the third quarter alone to tow the Tigers to a 62-56 Game 2 triumph that forged a winner-take-all for the crown.

Last year, the Tamaraws also won Game 1 but failed to close it out as National University took the next two matches to clinch the title.

Game 3 of the best-of-three series is set at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, at Mall of Asia Arena.

Racela gave props to the magical third-quarter outburst of Ferrer, who finished with 29 points, including 18 from trifecta range.

“We really know what he’s capable of doing,” said Racela. “It’s just bad for us that he exploded that way.”