Far Eastern University head coach Sean Chambers against De La Salle University in UAAP Season 89. UAAP Media.MANILA — Sean Chambers cemented his place in Philippine basketball by helping Alaska Milk rule the PBA in the mid-1990s, but the Far Eastern University head coach said there was one team the franchise had to overcome before it could rise through the ranks.
“I’m going to bring up my own career, okay? Once Alaska started beating San Miguel, that’s when we knew we had arrived,” said Chambers after FEU took down defending champion De La Salle University, 90-78, in UAAP Season 89 on Wednesday.
READ: Mongcopa powers FEU in statement win against La Salle
Before Alaska’s historic grand slam, San Miguel was still dominating the PBA during Chambers’ early years in the league, with the Beermen ruling all three conferences of the 1989 season — the American’s first year in the PBA.
For Chambers, FEU must do the same and overcome the likes of La Salle, University of the Philippines, and National University if the Tamaraws want to be taken seriously in the league’s current landscape.
“Until we start beating La Salle, UP, and NU, then we’re going to know that we actually are one of the contenders,” he said.
That is why, despite the Tamaraws’ statement win over the Green Archers, Chambers stressed that maintaining that level will be an even bigger challenge.
“We have to take this game, enjoy it, but we have to move on,” he emphasized.
But while Chambers was quick to temper expectations, he did not discount what FEU’s win against La Salle said about the foundation he has been building with the Tamaraws.
Unlike in Season 87, when the Tams started 0-5, and Season 88, when they won just one of their first six games, FEU is now sitting in a five-way tie with NU, UP, Ateneo de Manila University, and University of Santo Tomas at the top of the standings at 2-1.
For Chambers, the result is another step forward in what they are building, and he is urging the Tamaraws to embrace that progress.
“It does feel good to be on this side of the table for once, for my third year,” he said.
FEU will look to maintain its strong start when it takes on Season 88 finalist UP on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
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