Sitting with a 3-2 record, the Adamson Soaring Falcons now find themselves at fourth place in the standings, ready to compete for a possible Final Four spot in UAAP Season 87.
After five games in UAAP Season 87, the Adamson Soaring Falcons are currently sitting at solo fourth with three wins and two losses—a record not many would have expected.
Adamson entered the season without former superstar Jerom Lastimosa, and many would have probably expected the San Marcelino-based squad to struggle, at least initially.
[RELATED STORY: UAAP Season 87 team preview: Adamson going on rebuild mode in post-Jerom Lastimosa era]
But slowly but surely, coach Nash Racela is making sure that the Soaring Falcons get to believe in themselves. Even without the guidance of a longtime star, this fresh batch of Falcons can indeed crash the Final Four party once more.
“I think ‘yung belief of other people should not really matter sa amin. My question to them always is naniniwala ba kayo? Kasi yun yung pinaka-importante eh,” Racela said during the post-game press conference after a pulsating win over National University, a Final Four team from last year.
“Whatever people might think, ang importante is us, within our circle really believing its doable. Sana nga, slowly, we as a group, sana we are starting to believe that we could achieve and do nice things,” he added.
Looking for its third win, Adamson had to outlast the struggling Bulldogs in a close fight, which saw guard Joshua Yerro hit a game-winning tip with just 0.3 seconds left in the clock.
“Nag-tiwala lang ako sa sarili ko kasi ‘yun ‘yung binigay na play ni coach Gilbert [Lao], so nagampanan ko na akin talaga ‘yun,” said Yerro.
The Soaring Falcons knew the game-winning play was meant for Yerro. But whether or not he was there in time to catch the pass from Arthur Calisay was another matter. The instructions were clear from the coaching staff— take your chances.
“I think it was very clear ‘yung instruction ni coach Gilbert even to Calisay. Even if you don’t see him there, just throw the ball, take your chances, and he did. Buti na lang biglang sumulpot si Wawa [Joshua],” said Racela.
Adamson's belief in themselves will be tested as the Falcons go up against the undefeated UP Fighting Maroons next on Saturday, September 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
"Win-lose-win-lose-win. Hopefully, we break that against UP. We’ll just try our best," Racela quipped.