The Adamson Lady Falcons aim to overcome top title contenders NU and UST come the second round, hoping to build the momentum from their strong 5-2 record in UAAP Season 87.
The Adamson Lady Falcons have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in UAAP Season 87, ending the first round with a strong 5-2 record.
However, their two losses came against perennial title contenders, the defending champion UST Growling Tigresses and the NU Lady Bulldogs, highlighting their challenge in overcoming the league's top teams.
Adamson came close to defeating UST early in the season but crumbled late in the game, losing 55-58.
The Lady Falcons then couldn't find their bearing against the dominant Lady Bulldogs, bowing 52-74.
For head coach Ryan Monteclaro, the key to defeating these powerhouses lies in Adamson's dedication to improvement, both individually and as a team.
“It starts with our practice,” Monteclaro emphasized during the post-game press conference after Sunday's 63-51 win over UE. “It’s about sacrifices, commitment, and what we also put on our whiteboard in the dugout: playing with heart and pride."
“Kasi we’re not really playing against whoever; we’re playing for each other, we’re playing it for Adamson. So we don’t care who we’re playing against,” he added.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Ryan Monteclaro says Adamson Lady Falcons soaring to contender status in Season 87]
Despite the challenges, Monteclaro knows the team is capable of pushing through. However, this endeavour requires total effort.
“Today, pinagalitan ko sila nung second half kasi we cannot relax eh,” he shared. “We’ve been in that position, where we go to games na ‘Adamson lang yan.’ We’re trying to really make it on a positive side now. We will just keep challenging ourselves.”
In their victory over Lady Red Warriors, Monteclaro decided to field in some of his rookies, reflecting his long-term vision for the team.
After their previous win against the UP Fighting Maroons, Monteclaro pushed his players to take more responsibility on the court.
“I was telling them na there are around five or six players who were being good teammates to the players that are getting minutes,” Monteclaro explained. “So, it’s about time for the players that are getting minutes to reciprocate it, meaning to give back.”
For Monteclaro, it’s not just about winning; it’s about building a cohesive unit where every player contributes meaningfully, whether they start or come off the bench.
As the second round approaches, Adamson faces stiff competition, and Monteclaro knows they will need to dig even deeper.
For the surging Lady Falcons, finding the right combinations and continuing to develop as a team will be critical to overcoming the top contenders.
“Like what we’ve said, we are the gatecrashers right now, so we will keep knocking and knocking until we get inside,” Monteclaro concluded.