UAAP: Former Tamaraw Arwind Santos says FEU exceeded his expectations in barging to finals

Former Tamaraw and now PBA player Arwind Santos said Far Eastern University exceeded his expectations when they barged into the finals of the UAAP men's basketball tournament.

Santos, who was part of the team in 2005 when FEU last earned its last championship, said he initially thought the Tamaraws could only reach the final four.

"Ang basa ko nga sa team nila dahil sa nakita ko 'yung ibang makakalaban nila, sabi ko mukhang final four lang ata ngayon," said the 2013 PBA Most Valuable Player.

In the previous years, Santos said he believed the team could bag the championship with stars Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia still in action for the team.

"Dati nung time na napakalakas nila, sinabi ko 'oy kayang-kayang mag champion,'" Santos said. "Pero hindi nagchampion, hindi nakapasok ng finals."

With the graduation of the key players, Santos lowered his expectations for the team. But he was proven wrong when FEU knocked out the defending champions De La Salle University in the semifinals courtesy of a buzzer-beating trey from Mac Belo.

"God is good, ngayon nasa finals na tayo at nakikita pa natin na ang laki ng potential na puwede nilang makuha yung championship," said Santos.

He said the victory against the Archers really helped the Tamaraws in improving their grit in the court.

"Kasi ang La Salle nakita mo naman ang lineup nila, ang laki nila, halos mga go-to guy din," Santos said. "'Yun 'yung parang nalampasan nila 'yung isang mabigat na kalaban, parang stepping stone."

Santos said he liked the team's chances in capturing the title after watching FEU beat National University in Game 1, which saw nine Tamaraws contributing in offense.

Unsung heroes Roger Pogoy and Achie Iñigo, meanwhile, scored in double digits along with star guard Mike Tolomia.

"Hindi naman puwedeng puro Mac Belo lang, 'di naman puwedeng Tolomia lang. Eto ang dami e, lahat nagse-step up," Santos said. - RAF, GMA News