Nash Racela happy to see Adamson avoid no-win October with breakthrough over UE

The Adamson Soaring Falcons have taken the monkey off their back after finally getting back into the win column after over a month of tough losses in UAAP Season 87, beating the UE Red Warriors, 45-37, in their second round encounter at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.

 

After losing their previous five games, the Soaring Falcons emerged victorious for the first time since September 25, when Joshua Yerro scored the game-winning basket against the NU Bulldogs in their first-round encounter.

 

Playing in the final game day of the month, the win over UE meant that Adamson avoided a winless outing for October. Though focused on the bigger picture ahead with more games to come, Adamson head coach Nash Racela was delighted at the result.

 

[RELATED: UAAP: Adamson outworks UE in defensive game to snap 5-game slump]

 

"Of course, we're thankful that we won. Akala ko ang ghost month October eh, muntik na kami ma-zero for the month of October so it's good that we're able to get the win towards the end of the month.” said Racela. 

 

“This is something that we really need.”

 

At 4-7, the Soaring Falcons pumped some life back into their dwindling Final Four hopes — with both UE and UST only a couple of games away at the 3rd and 4th spots in the standings.

 

Though undergoing a tough stretch during the month, Racela said that his players worked hard even without the results. But seeing their hard work payoff drew relief from the veteran coach. 

 

“If, I'd say our players were doing their part even with those losses that we had, that five straight losses that we had, pero [sabi namin] just continue on doing the right things and eventually you'll get that win. It’s good that we're able to get it today.” he said. 

 

“I think our defense really was commendable. I was looking at the stats and we were able to limit [Wello] Lingolingo, [Rainer] Maga and [Ethan] Galang and when I look at their three-point numbers I was surprised that they only made three. That's something that we really tried to take away. So today we were successful." he added.

 

And defense did pay dividends for the Soaring Falcons as it proved key in their fourth quarter run.

 

The Soaring Falcons held UE to only five points in the final period of the ballgame while creating opportunities for themselves on offense as well — going on a 10-run led by AJ Fransman who finished with a career-high 14 points in the win.

 

Still, with the rest of the season ahead, it remains to be an uphill battle for the Soaring Falcons.

 

But first, Racela’s wards will have a lengthy break before they return on November 10, Sunday, against another team looking for a win in the NU Bulldogs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.