Adamson Falcons during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.NET
MANILA, Philippines — Inspired by the University of the East’s surprise run, Adamson seeks to make its own breakthrough in the second round of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
The Soaring Falcons may have suffered a narrow 63-62 loss to UE after Wello Lingolingo’s buzzer-beater on Sunday, ending up in fifth place with a 3-4 record. But Adamson coach Nash Racela is taking it in stride, looking to replicate the Red Warriors’ hot start.
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“Sa second round sana mala-UE rin yung performance namin (We hope we can have the same run as UE in the second round),” said Racela.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
“The first round we just got three, hopefully, we get more in the second round then we can have a chance. UE was able to do that then they become our inspiration.”
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Racela said UE deserved the win, hoping his wards would learn from it and make the right adjustments.
“Basketball is a game of adjustments. Those that don’t adjust should not be coaching. UE did the right thing, made some adjustments.
We made a run. They made a run. It boils down to one possession,” he said.
Despite missing the win that could have brought Adamson inside the Final Four picture at the end of the first round, Racela urges his team to keep going as their goal this year is still on track.
READ: UAAP: Nash: First, Falcons need to have faith in themselves
“Going to the second round, you’re just a game behind the No. 4 team. Two games behind UE. Anything is still possible,” said the Adamson coach.
“Of course, you just wanted to be in a better position. But things happen. Maybe we’re not yet ready to be in that position. We need to make our adjustments still. Hopefully, we correct that in time. Just like UE, we [want to] make our own run.”
Their losses were winnable games. That’s why Racela hopes that his Falcons, bannered by Matt Erolon, Monty Montebon, Royce Mantua, Jhon Calisay, and Cedrick Manzano, will take every chance they have in the second round to reach the Final Four.
“Hopefully, it’s better in the second round. Looking at the bright side, we lost four games but a lot of those were really close games. Even the wins that we had were a bit close. Meaning, the message really is, every game we have a chance. We put ourselves in a good position to compete and try to get wins,” Racela said.
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Adamson kicks off the second round against the struggling Far Eastern University (1-6) on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.