Whenever an argument is made about strong teams that seem to have it all, Far Eastern University is always in the conversation. Unfortunately for the Tamaraws they are in another conversation: the argument of strong teams who falter when it counts most. 2005 seems like such a distant memory, when the team that had two-time UAAP MVP Arwind Santos was the cream of the UAAP. With Santos at the helm and various combinations of Dennis Miranda, Mark Isip, Jonas Villanueva, Benedict Fernandez, RJ Rizada and Jeff Chan, FEU was a true powerhouse winning two UAAP titles in three years.

Truth be told they never ceased to be a strong team even when Santos and Company finally moved on to the pros. Check out the current roster and a lot of big names are still around: 5-foot-8 pointguard Ryan Roose Garcia, 6-foot-3 swingman Paul Sanga, 6-foot-4 forward JR Cawaling, 6-foot-6 center-forward Aldrech Ramos, 6-foot-5 forward-center Reil Cervantes, 5-foot-9 guard Jenz Knuttel, 6-foot-4 power forward Pipo Nuondoo. This is a core that other teams would die for. They really do have it all: firepower inside and out, speed in transition, strength in the low blocks, defense in depth, athleticism across the board, rebounding, shot blocking. It is truly a great mystery that this group has yet to win a UAAP championship.

Sometimes things off the court have impacted on the program on the court. Over the last couple of years, a few FEU players have been involved in dealings that have somehow affected the team. Center JR Gerilla was simply not used anymore after the first round of eliminations some two years ago. Forward Mac Baracael nearly lost his life in a shooting incident over a year and a half ago; the shooter remains at large. Guard Mark Barroca was mysteriously consigned to the doghouse towards the end of the elimination rounds a year ago. All these goings-on have not been kind to the overall thrust of FEU to win another UAAP championship. Gerilla is now plying the commercial circuit. Baracael and Barrca are teammates of Ramos and Cawaling on the Smart Gilas national team of Rajko Toroman.

For Season 73, the team is once again gaining some personnel who could make a direct and immediate impact in the UAAP. 5-foot-8 guard Terrence “Jet” Romeo, the Season 72 junior division MVP who holds the UAAP one-game scoring record with 83 points in a single game leads all newcomers. 6-foot-3 forward Anthony “Tonton” Bringas, 6-foot-3 forward Anjoe Latonio and 6-foot-4 power forward Clarence Foronda, all saw action in the NCAA and will now strut their wares in the UAAP.

Romeo has already shown the summer competition that he is the real deal, playing both guard spots with aplomb and breaking down opposing defenses with his wiliness and quickness. Bringas has been the primary forward coming off the bench and has also played some center in smaller and quicker lineups on the floor. He is relentless crashing both boards and can run the wings in transition. Foronda is an extra body at the 4 and 5 spots who can provide added toughness in the lane. Latonio is a 3/4 with a decent spot-up shot and is also active off the defensive glass.

FEU FERN is also expected to make some noise and return to the junior division finals with the tall and athletic lineup of Coach Horatio Lim.