The break that Sean Chambers has been waiting for finally arrived.
Chambers, the former resident import of Alaska in the Philippine Basketball Association, was formally hired as head coach of Far Eastern University starting Season 87 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
The school made the announcement, saying that the wealth of experience that Chambers had during his playing stint in the Philippines and teaching career in the United States makes him a perfect fit for the Tamaraws.
He will be replacing Denok Miranda, who manned the sidelines in Season 86 in which the Tamaraws finished with a forgettable 3-11 win-loss record.
Miranda, for his part, will serve as head of the school’s basketball program, who will oversee the development of the basketball players from junior high to college.
Chambers said he couldn’t wait to join the Tamaraws and give back to the country that served as his home away from home during his playing career from 1989 to 2001 in which he had six titles with the Aces.
“Over the years, I’ve closely observed the evolution and spirit of Philippine collegiate basketball, witnessing the remarkable growth and development of young players,” the 59-year-old Chambers in a statement said.
“I firmly believe that there is an ample opportunity for me to contribute to their journey towards reaching their fullest potential on and off the court.”
“I am profoundly grateful and humbled by the opportunity to return to the Philippines as the head coach of the FEU Tamaraws.”
Chambers had been linked to quite a number of coaching jobs, the last was four years ago in which he sent a letter of intent to express his willingness to coach University of Santo Tomas.
Chambers didn’t bag the job but it gave him a lot of opportunities in Philippine basketball, including a consultancy role with TNT Tropang Giga last year that reunited him with former Alaska teammate Jojo Lastimosa.
Now, he will be reunited with another FEU assistant coach Johnny Abarrientos, who served as the chief playmaker of Alaska during its grand slam run in 1996.
“It is an honor to collaborate with the FEU management and the coaching staff in our collective mission to reignite the winning culture at FEU,” Chambers said.
