The Adamson Soaring Falcons begin life without superstar Jerom Lastimosa, as they eye another Final Four run in UAAP Season 87.
It’s a new era for Adamson University.
After years of being steered by star point guard Jerom Lastimosa, the Soaring Falcons will begin UAAP Season 87 with much to prove.
Adamson, which came close to a Final Four appearance last season, will look to achieve this goal with a retooled lineup, which includes high-potential players.
Head coach: Nash Racela
Team captain: Joshua Yerro
Key Additions: Royce Mantua, AJ Fransman, Cade Ronzone, Austin Ronzone, Carl Alexander
Key losses: Jerom Lastimosa, Vince Magbuhos, Joem Sabandal, Didat Hanapi, Jed Colonia
Season 86 record: 7-7 (lost to Ateneo in fourth-seed playoff)
The question remains for the Soaring Falcons: who will step up and replace Lastimosa?
Well, if last season’s performance is any indication, Adamson will need an entire team effort, whether from the starters or from bench players.
“Last year, 'yun na 'yung naging preparation namin na kahit wala si Jerom. Paano pa kaya ngayon na matagal naming pinaghandaan na kahit wala si Jerom, kaya namin?” big man Cedrick Manzano told One Sports.
“Alam naman natin na malaking kawalan talaga si Jerom. Pero ginagawa naman ng guards namin kung paano ['yung] laro ni Jerom. Sinusubukan nila mag-improve every day. Sana tuloy-tuloy 'yung pag-improve namin as a player,” he added.
Aside from Manzano, another player expected to lead the charge is Fil-Am hotshot Matthew Montebon, who delivered several Jerom-esque clutch baskets for the Soaring Falcons.
This includes the now-famous shot over the UE Red Warriors to keep Adamson’s Final Four hopes alive in Season 86, which Lastimosa himself approved.
“Jerom [Lastimosa] obviously is the face of Adamson. When you think of Adamson basketball, you think of Jerom,” said Montebon.
“He's the king, so obviously, after the game [against UE last year], getting the nod of approval from him meant a lot. It gave me the confidence just knowing that he approved ‘the shot,’” the 6-foot guard added.
Though it might be an up-and-down season for Adamson, the Nash Racela-led squad has been known for its grit and determination to overcome obstacles.
In his final year with the Soaring Falcons, team captain Joshua Yerro hopes to see all of his teammates fulfill their roles in the squad as they eye another Final Four berth.
“Expectation ko, hopefully maging successful kami this coming season. Lalong-lalo na last year ko ngayon, so na pagbutihan na namin and lalo na sa mga bago, maraming mga bago ngayon,” said Yerro.
“I hope [at] ine-expect ko sa kanila na gawin nila 'yung pinapagawa ng mga coaches na positive contribution. 'Yan naman talaga hinahanap namin eh, lalo na off the bench. Mag-contribute sila and kung paano sila maging stable sa loob ng court,” he added.