NEW Far Eastern University coach Sean Chambers is elated his wards have finally scored a breakthrough win in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament.

“I think one of the most beautiful characteristics of the Filipino people is that you go through like a tough loss like we did and we just, what’s the word, “bawi”? We just come back the next day and like get back to work. I think one of the beautiful things too about our kids is because I think we have nine rookies on the roster right now, they’re just like, hey, we’re playing basketball,” Chambers said. “They’re having the time of their life. I was watching these guys in practice, and it was like, you know, kids at a parade. So, they’re playing basketball. They’re having the time of their lives.

“So basically, every loss, I just felt like, you know, it falls on me just getting them prepared for this level and now I understand and see how hard we have to go, how hard we have to prepare, doing walkthroughs in the mornings and like I said last game, we’re going to be a problem for the rest of the season. I really believe that. We’re going to be out. We’re going to be out,” he added.

Chambers, a PBA legendary import, spoke on the heels of the Tamaraws’ gripping 66-65 overtime squeaker over the Ateneo Blue Eagles last Sunday night.

Jorick Bautista took matters into his own hands, delivering a clutch basket for FEU and dropping a season-high 18 points.

Chambers is convinced the best is yet to come for the Morayta-based crew.

“I’m glad they got that first win, and I think it’s going to continue to grow. But it’s a journey, you know and me, admin, administration, we need to make sure we protect these young kids for their future,” he said. “I have no problem with that. I have no problem saying that, you know, some of these losses are on me, and they’re young.

“I want to manage the expectation because from years to come, they are the future of the UAAP. We have nine rookies that will be dynamite from the rest of this year and then from years to come. As long as they’re managed right. But if you don’t manage them right, you’ll destroy them early.”