Bert Flores: Taller frontline a must for FEU next year

MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University tries to shore up its frontcourt rotation as the Tamaraws start their buildup early for the next UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

Although his team boasted a formidable three-guard combo, FEU coach Bert Flores said the lack of a low-post threat did them in during the Finals series against Ateneo.

“We have to develop our big men,” said Flores. “We had Aldrech Ramos, but after him, we only had rookies. They’re still very raw.”

Ateneo swept the Tamaraws, 2-0, in the best-of-three series with Nico Salva, Kirk Long, Emman Monfort and rookie stars Greg Slaughter and Kiefer Ravena combining to give the Blue Eagles a fourth straight crown.

“They’re a very disciplined team, while we had problems with our ball movement,” said Flores, adding that the seven-foot Slaughter posed a real problem for the Tamaraws.

“We had all kinds of defense [on Slaughter]—double-team, single-coverage—but it was really hard. We needed at least one more post player.”

Flores said Pippo Noundou could have helped, but the Cameroonian big man got sidelined by a torn achilles tendon.

The Tamaraws will lose Ramos, Noundou, Chris Exciminiano, JR Cawaling and Jens Knuttel to graduation, but still boast a formidable backcourt next year with RR Garcia, Terrence Romeo and Chris Tolomia.

Flores said the Tamaraws are definitely beefing up their frontline with American Anthony Hargrove, former La Salle power forward Arvie Bringas and Mac Bello.