Chambers to give instant impact in FEU
SEAN Chambers, the newly appointed head coach of the Far Eastern University (FEU) men’s basketball team, knows that he can’t just come in and instantly make the Tamaraws into a championship contending team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
But the former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) import believes that turning things around for the Tamaraws, who missed the UAAP Final Four the each of the past two seasons, would not take that long either as the 59-yearold Chambers seeks to make an immediate impact on the FEU program.
As a player, Chambers is known for his immense work ethic with the Alaska Aces which he helped lead to six PBA championships including a Grand Slam in 1996.
“I promised the guys, I’m not called ‘Mr. 100%’ just by accident. I guarantee that I’m going to be the hardest working coach in the UAAP. Nothing to take away from the current coaches who are here, but I just know what’s in my court, and what’s in my court is to give 110 percent on whatever I do,” said Chambers.
“I’m trying to curb my expectations, but I don’t expect the turnaround to take that long. I want to have an instant impact on so many different levels, and I think we can do that. Just minor details, fundamentals of the game, and playing for one another.”
Chambers replaced Denok Miranda, who will now be the director of the FEU basketball program for high school and college.
Miranda coached FEU last year in Season 86 as the Tamaraws finished with a 3-11 slate.
Chambers promised that FEU will return to its winning ways this season but insisted that they are going to do things with integrity and with a strong level of preparation, values that helped him and the Aces win multiple PBA titles.
“First and foremost, really doing everything with integrity. We’re gonna do everything while putting the university first and foremost as our goal. Next is that we’re gonna be accountable for one another. We want everybody to be accountable not only to their teammates but also to the university. We’re gonna work hard and we’re gonna prepare like crazy,” said Chambers.
“As we say with Alaska, the will to win is important but the will to prepare is vital. That’s what we’re gonna bring to the table — just details, a matter of details.”
Chambers, meanwhile, hinted that he might instill with the Tamaraws the patented Alaska Aces basketball system with the help of fellow PBA great and Alaska teammate Johnny Abarrientos as one of his assistants.
“Now of course, everybody wants to know: ‘are we gonna run the triangle?’ We’ll run the triangle but it’s a little bit with Sean Chambers flair. It won’t look like Coach Tim Cone’s but it’ll be similar in some aspects,” he said.