FILE – Far Eastern University’s Raymar Jose was a man among boys in the paint. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Losing back-to-back games to Adamson and Ateneo, Raymar Jose attributed Far Eastern University’s lackluster play to the extended break as the team struggled to regain its footing late this season.
“Siguro sa break talaga. Ang layo kasi eh. Parang nawala yung momentum namin,” he said.
The Tamaraws struggled to recover from their 17-day break, resulting to their 61-59 loss to the Soaring Falcons on Sunday and a 74-59 defeat to the Blue Eagles on Wednesday.
In FEU’s loss to Ateneo, it found itself on the defensive early as the Katipunan dribblers went on a tear from three-point country and at one point, even trailed by 23 points.
“Puro three-points sila nung first half tapos yung lamang, sobrang laki na kaagad at ang hirap na habulin,” said Jose.
Comeback would soon dawn on the Tamaraws, with Jose and Prince Orizu bringing the team back within seven, 63-56, but Thirdy Ravena took the control back for the Blue Eagles in the end, sending the Morayta cagers on a two-game tailspin.
“Sa second half nakapag-adjust kami sa depensa namin. Dinadahan-dahan namin pero wala talaga eh,” the hardworking forward said.
Jose, though, refused to be down as FEU remains in the running for the top two with an 8-4 card, as he eyes to shrug off this bad stretch and regain its winning ways.
“Para sa amin, masakit yung pagkatalo kasi kailangan talaga namin ito para makuha namin yung twice-to-beat. Pero wala na eh. Move on na lang kami, trabahuhin nalang namin yung dalawang laro,” he said.
“Kailangan lang naming gayahin ulit yun sistema namin. Dapat doon kami babalik lagi, sa sistema pa rin. Kung ano man ang mangyari, yun na lang.”
FEU takes on league-leader La Salle on Saturday.