UAAP Season 79 Preview: Reigning titlist FEU looking for new identity

FEU Tamaraws celebrate the UAAP championship. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Head Coach: Nash Racela
Last season: 11-3 (Champion)
Key holdovers: Raymar Jose, Monbert Arong, Prince Orizu
Key losses: Mac Belo, Mike Tolomia, Roger Pogoy, Russel Escoto
Key additions: Ken Tuffin

Just like any other year, Far Eastern U coach Nash Racela refuses to regard his team as one of this season’s favorites.

And he has every right to do so.

“We lost a lot of players and we still have a lot of room for improvement,” he said.

Losing basically bulk of his starters in Mac Belo, Mike Tolomia, Roger Pogoy, and Russel Escoto, Racela’s team suffered one of the biggest talent drops in terms of manpower this year.

But Racela is still positive that the leadership of Raymar Jose and Monbert Arong will make do to lead the charge for the Tamaraws.

FEU is not the defending champion for nothing, and Racela is optimistic that though his team is not the hands down favorite, it has what it takes to get back to the top.

“Mahirap talaga mag-adjust with this new team cause it seems like we’re looking for a new identity. But I think we’re ready na naman this season,” said Racela.