Despite lacking superstar power, the Adamson Soaring Falcons continue to exceed expectations as they take a crack at a Top 4 standing when they face the FEU Tamaraws in the curtain raiser of UAAP Season 87 Round 2.
The Adamson Soaring Falcons and the FEU Tamaraws are set to open the second round of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament with a crucial matchup on October 12, 4:00 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Both teams are coming off tough losses to end the first round. Adamson (3-4) fell to the UE Red Warriors in a hard-fought game, while FEU (1-6) dropped their last match against the UST Growling Tigers.
With these results, Adamson sits in the middle of the pack, while FEU shares the bottom spot with Ateneo.
The Soaring Falcons may lack standout individual players, but under the leadership of Coach Nash Racela, they’ve managed to stay competitive thanks to their system-based approach.
Racela’s tactical schemes, focusing on team-oriented basketball, have helped Adamson secure three wins in the first round. As they start the second phase, they will aim to bounce back and push for a higher standing in the league after their frustrating defeat to UE.
For the Tamaraws, Jorick Bautista will be the key player to watch.
Currently ranked fifth in the league’s scoring leaderboard with an average of 13.14 points per game, Bautista will likely carry much of the offensive load for his team.
However, FEU still faces challenges as Coach Sean Chambers has yet to fully implement the Triangle offense effectively. The system, known for its intricate movement and spacing, is still a work in progress for the Tamaraws, which has affected their consistency on the offensive end.
Coming off their loss to UST, the pressure is on FEU to find cohesion and improve their performance.
Adamson’s structured play and FEU’s reliance on Bautista’s scoring, along with Chambers' ongoing adjustments, could set up an interesting clash of styles.
With both teams looking to turn the tide after tough losses, this game will be critical for their standing in the tournament. Expect a hard-fought battle as both squads aim to make a statement in Round 2 of the eliminations.
Can the Soaring Falcons continue to soar under their system-driven play, or will Jorick Bautista and the evolving Triangle offense lead the Tamaraws to their second win of the season? Find out this Thursday as both teams leave it all on the court.