Baby Tams seek to prove they belong among HS elite

FEU coach Allan Albano and the Baby Tamaraws. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson

UAAP juniors defending champion Far Eastern University is bracing for tougher foes in the SM National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) League.

And coach Allan Albano is hoping for another dream run against powerhouse teams like San Beda and Malayan in the National High School Championship.

“Hopefully, we make another Cinderella run against these foes,” he said.

Toughened by their UAAP opposition, the Baby Tamaraws will lean on the leadership of Finals MVP LJ Gonzales, Kenji Roman, RJ Abarrientos, and Jun Gabane.

Albano, a first-time coach in the NBTC, acknowledges that this tourney won’t be a breeze for the Diliman dribblers.

“We know how strong teams are, especially San Beda. We’re also excited to face the international teams because we know their skills are a level higher than us,” he said.

But it doesn’t mean that the Baby Tamaraws will just roll over and die, as Albano vows that FEU is ready to grind out every game in the NBTC.

“We’ll do our best like what we did in the UAAP. I think we still have a good chance for the crown, but we’d rather focus on ourselves rather than on our opponents,” he said. “We promise that we’ll give them a good fight.”