Navigation
Login
Recent articles
Classics
Search
Links
UAAP Season 71 Preview: FEU Tamaraws
Tue, Jun 24, 2008 by Pandaemonaeon
Overview: With a system anchored on hard work and rugged defense the Tamaraws stood as serious contenders annually and is one of the only two teams (the other being La Salle) to win the prestigious UAAP title more than once in the last decade. But the glory days of Arwind Santos and Koy Banal's DVD collection are all but a distant memory. What's left is a new coach and a flotilla of green horns that many wrote off as a rebuilding project not to make much of a serious impact but surprisingly overachieved to give the defending champions a serious but ultimately futile, scare.
Why you should root for them: Cleverly designed logo, Paquito Diaz, Andi Manzano
Why you shouldn't: Home to the longest running sex scandal anthology of all time
Roster Changes: FEU will be fielding an unscathed nucleus of youngsters (technically there are two subtractions but they don't really matter) this year which already boasts of Benedict Fernandez and the reigning Rookie of the Year, JR Cawaling. There's also the equally impressive Mac Baracael, who despite being a "junior", is allegedly on his last year on the team, according to the scuttlebutt around the water cooler. It's not known to us if he's completed his course, joining the draft or a "transferee" (a politically-correct term for "masters student" popularized and made extinct in one season by Jerwin Gaco) but our job is to make jokes, so let the others worry about that.
Key Additions: While all the offseason noise centered around La Salle and Ateneo's prized recruits, the Tamaraws quietly added a stable of promising rookies, mostly foreigners. The most intriguing of the new acquisitions is Robert Kave a 6'3" swingman of African-American descent who many compare to the San Beda Red Lion's Sam Ekwe. It is not known however, if this connection is based on the players actually having similar skill set, propensity for axe kicks or just plain skin tone.
Manner Of Attack: The Tams are one of the best teams in transition with an athletic frontline willing to run the floor (even more athletic than before) and are also blessed with shooters from top to bottom (bannered by long range snipers' Ron Cabagnot and the inconsistent Marlon Adolfo) who can wax hot at anytime.
Kryptonite: Lacking a traditional bruising big, FEU prefers the pace of a track meet rather than a methodical halfcourt style, where they are often relegated to jump shooters and have no real shotblocker to protect the paint. Considering that "slowing the game down" is a staple on every coach (except maybe for Ryan Gregorio) and armchair analyst's book, expect teams to exploit this weakness any which way they can.
Trump Card: When their backs are against the wall, the Tams draw their energy and strength from an earthly source known as the "Crying Koreans". Founded in the middle of 2006, the trio of female Korean students flock to each game clutching garish banners of the team's star players, cheering with the kind of intense passion and vigor normally reserved for the likes of Rain and other cleavage-bearing "male" pop stars. After a crushing loss, the Koreans eject buckets of tears (hence the name) that are only dwarfed in quantity by Ateneo's underaged spectators.
Outlook: The Tamaraws would be engaged in a strong neck-and-neck battle for the final fourth spot with UST. Don't ask me who wins, I'm just a writer!
Tue, Jun 24, 2008 by Pandaemonaeon
Overview: With a system anchored on hard work and rugged defense the Tamaraws stood as serious contenders annually and is one of the only two teams (the other being La Salle) to win the prestigious UAAP title more than once in the last decade. But the glory days of Arwind Santos and Koy Banal's DVD collection are all but a distant memory. What's left is a new coach and a flotilla of green horns that many wrote off as a rebuilding project not to make much of a serious impact but surprisingly overachieved to give the defending champions a serious but ultimately futile, scare.Why you should root for them: Cleverly designed logo, Paquito Diaz, Andi Manzano
Why you shouldn't: Home to the longest running sex scandal anthology of all time
Roster Changes: FEU will be fielding an unscathed nucleus of youngsters (technically there are two subtractions but they don't really matter) this year which already boasts of Benedict Fernandez and the reigning Rookie of the Year, JR Cawaling. There's also the equally impressive Mac Baracael, who despite being a "junior", is allegedly on his last year on the team, according to the scuttlebutt around the water cooler. It's not known to us if he's completed his course, joining the draft or a "transferee" (a politically-correct term for "masters student" popularized and made extinct in one season by Jerwin Gaco) but our job is to make jokes, so let the others worry about that.
Key Additions: While all the offseason noise centered around La Salle and Ateneo's prized recruits, the Tamaraws quietly added a stable of promising rookies, mostly foreigners. The most intriguing of the new acquisitions is Robert Kave a 6'3" swingman of African-American descent who many compare to the San Beda Red Lion's Sam Ekwe. It is not known however, if this connection is based on the players actually having similar skill set, propensity for axe kicks or just plain skin tone.Manner Of Attack: The Tams are one of the best teams in transition with an athletic frontline willing to run the floor (even more athletic than before) and are also blessed with shooters from top to bottom (bannered by long range snipers' Ron Cabagnot and the inconsistent Marlon Adolfo) who can wax hot at anytime.
Kryptonite: Lacking a traditional bruising big, FEU prefers the pace of a track meet rather than a methodical halfcourt style, where they are often relegated to jump shooters and have no real shotblocker to protect the paint. Considering that "slowing the game down" is a staple on every coach (except maybe for Ryan Gregorio) and armchair analyst's book, expect teams to exploit this weakness any which way they can.
Trump Card: When their backs are against the wall, the Tams draw their energy and strength from an earthly source known as the "Crying Koreans". Founded in the middle of 2006, the trio of female Korean students flock to each game clutching garish banners of the team's star players, cheering with the kind of intense passion and vigor normally reserved for the likes of Rain and other cleavage-bearing "male" pop stars. After a crushing loss, the Koreans eject buckets of tears (hence the name) that are only dwarfed in quantity by Ateneo's underaged spectators.
Outlook: The Tamaraws would be engaged in a strong neck-and-neck battle for the final fourth spot with UST. Don't ask me who wins, I'm just a writer!
Sino ba dun sa dalawang foreigner ng FEU yung kamukha ni Kobe? Meron daw eh. Hindi ko matukoy kung sino.
Copyright © The 15th Parallel
Comment: 2
Pipoo reminds me more of Eddy Curry among the many look-alikes mentioned.