The Adamson Soaring Falcons are coming off three consecutive years where they reached the Final Four, but were unable to make it to the finals.
The Adamson Soaring Falcons are refusing to stay grounded.
After three consecutive years of falling short in the semifinals against higher-ranked teams, the Soaring Falcons get ready to compete for a shot at the UAAP Season 88 championship.
Although finding themselves in the upper half of the standings since UAAP Season 85, the Soaring Falcons have only been knocking and never barging into the title conversation in men’s basketball.
With a clean slate and a 0-0 record coming when they open their campaign next week, the cagers from San Marcelino have slowly but surely figured out what they need to take their game — and Adamson — to the next level in UAAP hoops.
Speaking to One Sports, Matthew Montebon, AJ Fransman, and coach Nash Racela outlined what it takes to help Adamson soar even higher.
You win, and you learn
Matthew Montebon is eager to push Adamson farther ahead in UAAP Season 88. | Photo: RM Chua / One Sports
Since entering the team in UAAP Season 86, Montebon has seen his team show flashes of brilliance, but have also seen them crumble under the bright lights of the semifinals.
Facing twice-to-win disadvantages in both years in the Final Four, Montebon knows that there are lessons to be learned and changes to be implemented if the Soaring Falcons want anything more than just a spot in the semifinals.
Though falling short of identifying one single thing to make a difference, Montebon is adamant that the Soaring Falcons be better than the version of themselves in Seasons 86 and 87.
“Obviously, we haven’t done it yet, so I’m not too sure. But I would say, just our preparation,” he said of what Adamson needs to get over the hump in the semifinals.
“I think learning from the last two years is very important and taking what we did and just trying to, you know, improve it and do our best in the game. I think that’s what we need to do,” he added.
Must-win mentality
There’s a different kind of pressure when it comes to playoff games.
But incoming sophomore Fransman wants Adamson to stay ready by treating all 14 elimination games, and then some, as games that could potentially decide their fate.
AJ Fransman will be building off of a successful rookie stint with the Adamson Soaring Falcons. | Photo: RM Chua / One Sports
Not necessarily far from the truth, the versatile player is eager to treat every moment in their new season as something that can lead to the breakthrough that he and the rest of the Adamson Soaring Falcons have been aiming for.
“I think [we need to] take care of every game. Like, every game matters talaga for us. Kasi we had chances [last season] na sa mga last possessions kami natatalo,” lamented Fransman.
“So I think, yun yung important samin na we take care of every possession, every game itetreat namin na parang championship game.”
Growth mindset
Meanwhile, from a coach’s standpoint, Racela knows that it will be a harder task this time around to even match their outings in the past three years.
Having to deal with more experienced players graduating, Racela said that it will be up for players like Montebon, Fransman, and their incoming rookies to grow up faster than they may be accustomed to previously in the UAAP.
[READ: Falling behind in UAAP recruitment wars, Adamson leans on strong connection with HS program]
“I guess, [we need] maturity. This season we have a very young team. We’ve lost half of the team from last year. Ngayon, we have new guys coming from our high school program and some transferees. We have also some returnees,” said Racela.
“The challenge really is how they would work together as one group. Hindi madali, but the guys are willing to go through that process. Hopefully, maging maayos pagdating ng season na ‘to.” he continued.
Among notable additions in Racela’s lineup include Earl Medina, Allen Perez, and Zahir Sajili.
They join the core led by holdovers Cedrick Manzano, Fransman, and Montebon.
Adamson returns to action on Saturday, September 20, against last year’s finalists La Salle in the main game at 4:30 p.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.