FEU Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 84. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University has made the UAAP Final Four for the past eight seasons—the longest current active streak in the league.
The only problem is that the Tamaraws have often found themselves in an undesirable spot facing the mighty Ateneo Blue Eagles.
On Wednesday night, FEU got booted out by Ateneo in the Final Four for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
“Our initial goal really is to get to the Final Four first and see what happens next,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela after losing to Ateneo, 85-72.
“We’re just unlucky because we always end up playing Ateneo in the semis. Maybe we should avoid Ateneo next time,” added Racela. “We should avoid the number four spot.”
Three of the four semifinal clashes between Ateneo and FEU had the Tamaraws as No. 4 playing the top seed Eagles.
FEU’s latest Final Four exit, however, didn’t dampen Racela’s spirits of what still turned out to be a positive campaign for the promising Tamaraws led by RJ Abarrientos and L-Jay Gonzalez.
“This team has grown this season. All of them (players). What I always want from them is growth during the season,” he said.
“Best effort every time and the results will follow. We’re happy that we made the Final Four although the result is not what we want but I’m still proud of our team.”