FEU's Raymar Jose looks forward to next step in basketball journey

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FEU's Raymar Jose looks forward to next step in basketball journey

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

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FEU's Raymar Jose sings their alma mater hymn after losing to Ateneo in the UAAP Season 79 Final 4. Photo by Arvin Lim, ABS-CBN Sports.

MANILA, Philippines — Raymar Jose may not have won the UAAP championship to end his career, but the Far Eastern University (FEU) team captain made sure it wouldn't be for lack of trying.

Jose left everything on the floor in their Final Four series against Ateneo. He was spectacular last Saturday, scoring 20 points and grabbing 23 rebounds to power the Tamaraws to a 62-61 win that allowed them to force a do-or-die game against the Blue Eagles.

He was somewhat limited by Ateneo on Wednesday's decider, tallying "only" 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Still, Jose very nearly lifted FEU to victory. He secured the ball with less than 10 seconds left in the game, setting the Tamaraws up for the final play with enough time to get off a game-winning shot. Unfortunately, FEU couldn't get a basket in time thus ending the 2016 champions' season.

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Jose was subdued afterward but he saw no reason to be ashamed of the 68-69 overtime loss.

"Binigay namin ang best namin," Jose said. "Kinapos lang siguro."

"Masaya ko kasi . . . alam ko 'yung team namin, lumaban talaga eh. Siguro kinapos lang kami. Pero sa dalawang team ngayon pwede naman kami sa Finals. Siguro para sa kanila, kasi sila ang nanalo."

Jose did his best to look at the silver lining even as he reeled from the painful defeat.

"'Di pa naman nagtatapos ang basketball dito eh," he said.

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"Siguro, madadala ko ito at mai-improve ko pa ang sarili ko."

Though he failed to lead FEU to back-to-back titles, Jose still made the most of his final year with the Tamaraws. He led the team in scoring with 11.1 points per game and grabbed 11.0 rebounds per contest, which was good for third in the league.

More than his numbers, however, Jose's greatest contribution to FEU this year was his leadership. Chosen as team captain at the start of the season, Jose started out as a reluctant leader but grew into his role over the course of the tournament. It is a development that greatly pleased his coach, Nash Racela.

"At the start, nagulat si Raymar," Racela revealed. "In-appoint s'ya ng teammates niya, na s'ya daw ang captain namin."

"Noong una, I think he was having a hard time adjusting. But if you base it on how we ended the season, magaling na leader pala si Raymar. May leadership s'ya. I hope he brings it over (to the next level)."

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(Raymar was surprised at first. His teammates appointed him, that he should be our captain. At first, I think he was having a hard time adjusting. But if you base it on how we ended the season, Raymar turned out to be a great leader.)

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.

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