MANILA, Philippines – In his first tour of duty as head coach of the FEU Tamaraws, legendary PBA import Sean Chambers brings in a system he is very familiar with.
The Tamaraws look all set to run the triangle offense this UAAP Season 87, the system Chambers is well-accustomed to since his playing days with the Alaska Aces in the 1990s under multi-titled tactician Tim Cone.
“As Tim (Cone) says, it’s what I know best. I’ve been doing it for 20, 30 years now as a player first, and when I started coaching. It’s the offense I knew because that’s what I played in,” Chambers told Rappler during the UAAP press conference.
The triangle offense was utilized by NBA Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson with the Chicago Bulls in the ‘90s and later on with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2000s under the guidance of his longtime assistant coach Tex Winter.
The system was then adapted by Cone when he handled Alaska and it led Chambers and the rest of the Aces to multiple PBA championships in the ‘90s, including a Grand Slam in 1996.
According to Chambers — who remains in touch with Cone, the current Gilas Pilipinas and Barangay Ginebra head coach — he tweaked the triangle offense a bit for the Tamaraws and added his own flair to it.
“The triangle has been working amazing, the guys have high basketball IQ. They pick it up pretty quickly and I’ve been amazed by their work ethic,” said Chambers.
“We just do it a little differently. The triangle offense is a read and react, [but] I pretty much call set plays out of it. That’s the way it works for me,” he continued.
Following the departure of key players LJay Gonzales, Patrick Sleat, and Xyrus Torres, Chambers is banking on his rookies Veejay Pre and Janrey Pasaol, who are finally making their UAAP seniors debut after a solid stint with the FEU Baby Tamaraws.
“Veejay is special, but I also want to make sure we all understand that he is still coming out of high school. I don’t want him to get overwhelmed by putting too much pressure on him,” said Chambers of the 6-foot-5 Pre, who starred for the Tamaraws in their preseason tournaments.
“Janrey is also a special talent. We are starting with Janrey [at the point guard position] and Royce Alforque will be coming off the bench,” Chambers added of Pasaol, the younger brother of former UE Red Warriors star and Meralco Bolts forward Alvin.
Aside from Pre and Pasaol, holdovers Alforque, Cholo Anonuevo, and Jorick Bautista are also expected to step up to the plate for the young Tamaraws as they hope to return to the Final Four for the first time since UAAP Season 84.
“Preparation has been going great. Guys are working hard and very focused,” said Chambers.
“I’m very excited about the upcoming season. Hopefully, we’ll be able to shock some teams this year.”
The Tamaraws’ triangle offense will be put to test when they collide with the Adamson Soaring Falcons in their opening assignment on Sunday, September 8. – Rappler.com
