MANILA Philippines — Far Eastern University guard Janrey Pasaol finally found his groove as a rookie when their head coach Sean Chambers needed it the most.
Pasaol chipped in a career-high 14 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals, as the Tamaraws outlasted the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 65-54, in their UAAP Season 87 clash last Sunday, November 10, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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Pasaol, who formerly played for the Baby Tamaraws, credited the development program of their coaching staff for helping rookies adjust from high school to the college level of competition.
“Since preseason pa naman, sobrang taas na ng binibigay na kumpiyansa sa amin ni coach Sean. Hindi pa nagsisimula ang season dine-develop na kami nila [fellow rookie] Veejay [Pre]. So, nangapa lang talaga kami noong first round and sa second round na natuto kami na ganto pala yung laruan ng college show, kaya parang naging smooth din yung transition ko from being a rookie to College,” Pasaol told Philstar.com.
The rookie guard pointed out how Chambers handled the attitude and discipline of the team on and off the court, which benefits rookies from stepping out of their comfort zone.
“Si Coach [Sean] naman yung inuuna yung attitude ng team. So, kung mga kulang ka nang ganito, tutulungan ka niya, pero pinakaimpotante kailangan yung discipline sa pag-depensa.. So, yun lang yun ang mga gusto ni coach, pag ginawa mo yun tatagal ka sa court, kaya gawin lang namin yung mga gusto niya,” he said.
Another FEU rookie, Veejay Pre, has also proven his talent, achieving a career-high 31 points in a 79-70 loss to the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers last October 27.
The Morayta-based squad will look to bounce back when they face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on November 16 at the San Juan Arena. — Brent Sagre, intern