FEU head coach Sean Chambers has firsthand knowledge that an opening loss does not have to define a season.
The Tamaraws’ defeat to Adamson in their UAAP Season 89 opener brought back memories of Chambers’ playing days with Alaska, which famously lost its first three games before completing a historic PBA Grand Slam in 1996.
“I don't want to talk about my career here in the Philippines, but it reminds me so much of when we were trying to win the Grand Slam and our first three games, we were extremely tight, we didn't play relaxed,” he told reporters on the heels of their 53-56 loss.
The FEU mentor took accountability for the defeat that saw them squander double-digit leads, and score just 17 points, shooting just 6-of-31, in the second half.
READ: Adamson dims spotlight on FEU in impressive season opener
But beyond the blown advantage, Chambers saw something else creeping into his team: performance anxiety.
The Tams entered the season carrying heightened expectations, amplified by the fact they are this year's hosts.
That's exactly why Chambers wants his wards to tune out the hype and instead put the pressure on him. Having spent decades dealing with expectations in Philippine basketball, the shot-caller said he is more than willing to shoulder it.
“I felt like we played with a level of anxiety, um, with the fact that we're hosting. I told them, put all the pressure on me. I'm fine. I'm ok. Put all the pressure on me,” he said.
“You guys go play the game, get the experience, whatever good or bad that happens this season, and it’s on me to make sure that we do better and be better prepared for this move.”
FEU falters
Indeed, that anxiety showed, as the green-and-gold allowed the ever-dangerous Soaring Falcons to keep hanging around.
“Everybody wants to win, but if we're playing with a level of anxiety where we cannot allow ourselves to play freely, that falls on me. So I have to make sure I get them in a situation where they play more freely and don't feel the anxiety of trying to win now,” he said.
“Because when you play like that, you're never going to be able to play relaxed and play in a way that we can play, because honestly, I thought we were in great shape.”
Instead of dwelling on the setback, though, Chambers hopes FEU learns from it, much like the Milkmen did after their rough start three decades ago that ultimately led to unprecedented glory.
“But I say this: if you play basketball long enough, you coach long enough, you're going to see these kinds of games, and you got to grow from it. So keep grinding, get better. We'll be back in the gym, we'll be men about it, and we'll push ourselves even harder,” he said.
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