Tamaraws bank on skid-ending win vs Ateneo to bag more games

MANILA, Philippines – Despite getting their first win in the UAAP Season 86 at the expense of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, the FEU Tamaraws are setting their sights to win in their next games.

In an interview after their game, Tamaraw Xyrus Torres said that while they are happy with the win, they are looking to carry the newfound momentum to the next games.

And they will be continuing to work as they are set to face other hungry teams as well.

“It is just our [fifth] game. So we have to work harder because all teams are strong,” Torres, who scored 13 points in the game, told reporters in Filipino.
“We have to work harder because all teams are working. Now that they saw that we defeated the defending champions, for sure, all teams will prepare against us,” he added.

“We are happy, but we will work more.”

The Tamaraws survived a blistering run by the Blue Eagles in overtime, as the latter tied the game up after being down 15 points.

However, big shots by LJay Gonzales down the stretch gave FEU the 66-61 victory over the defending champions.

It gave FEU head tactician Denok Miranda his first win in the UAAP as a coach.

Torres acknowledged that the team struggled to start the game, and that players even “got mad” at each other during the game.

But the coaches reminded them to play together.

Gonzales, after the game, bared that Miranda almost cursed at the team when the game started because they were playing sluggishly.

“I had a bad start, but I was scolded by Coach Denok. He almost cursed at me just so I could play well,” the guard, who had 21 points and seven rebounds, said.

FEU is now holding a 1-4 win-loss record.