FEU simply ‘didn’t show up’ in blowout loss to NU, laments Racela

MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University has done one thing right this UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament while also doing the worst at one end.

The Tamaraws are the second-best defensive team in the league in terms of points allowed, holding their opponents to 65.2 points a game but with their intense defense comes terrible offense as they sit dead last in scoring with 64.4 points a match.

FEU’s difficulties on the offensive end were in full display in its 61-39 loss to National University Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Tamaraws head coach Olsen Racela blasted his team for the lackadaisical effort on the offensive end wherein FEU went a disastrous 15-of-79 from the field.

“Bottomline, my team didn’t show up today,” said Racela in Filipino. “If I give a reason why then it can be said that I’m giving an excuse, but the bottomline is they just didn’t show up and that’s what happens if you don’t show up in games.”

NU’s 61 points were still below the opponents’ average when facing FEU but the Tamaraws’ 31 points were less than half of what they produce on a game-by-game basis.

There was even a point in the third quarter when Dave Ildefonso’s 14 points eclipsed the Tamaraws’ 13 total points.

“Whether you play NU or the strongest team, if you don’t show up we will get blown up,” said Racela whose team dropped to a 2-4 record while the Bulldogs improved to 1-5.

“I always say that there’s an immense balance of talent between the teams that’s why we need to bring our A-Game every time. If you don’t do that, nothing will happen.”