Adamson bounces back in style against UST

Photo source: UAAP Photos

The Adamson Soaring Falcons fell and came back stronger, displaying a valiant effort to claim their victory against the UST Growling Tigers 69-56, and improve to 2-1 early this UAAP season. 

Head coach Nash Racela admitted after their win on Sunday, September 15, that he couldn’t predict how his players would play before the contest because of their prior performance against De La Salle University, who won by 30 four days prior.

“The last couple of days, we were struggling with our focus. So I didn’t really know how they would play today, but they made their adjustments and played a lot better than the last time,” the veteran head coach stated.

“I’m happy with the effort that our players gave today. I just looked at the stats. We out-rebounded a big team like UST, so that means that they put in the effort.”

Although happy with the result and the team’s effort, Racela admitted he was unhappy about the team’s relaxation during the game’s final minutes. 

“Our defense was commendable. But I wasn’t happy with the last 3 or 4 minutes, when we were leading by mga 18. I saw people relax, akala nila tapos na ‘yong game.”

Former Tiger Royce Mantua finished with 11 points and 2 rebounds. He revealed that the game against UST was just like any other game, and they were just like any other opponent. He didn’t deny though that there were some emotions he felt during the contest.

“There are little emotions, but obviously, I’ve got to hide it. I have to play with the team I’m playing with right now. It’s more on our goal than just my role,” he said.

“I’m glad that we got the win.”

Coach Nash joked shortly after, “You let us know if you want to go back.” 

Safe to say: it looks like Mantua has found his home at Adamson.

UAAP newcomer AJ Fransman also displayed his versatile skillset with 11 points, 2 assists, and 10 rebounds. He admitted after that he’s still getting used to the big arena games after previously playing for Enderun. 

“After those 3 games, I think nung 1st game ko siguro, medyo kinakapa ko pa, kasi first time ko sa big arena. Actually, I’m just thinking with Coach Nash’s system and kung ano mga pinapagawa sa’kin ng mga coaches.”

Top-scoring player Mathew Montebon registered 15 points, 4 assists, and 5 rebounds. He admits that the unfortunate loss against the De La Salle Green Archers became a learning opportunity for the team which they remedied in their next contest against another Final Four contender in UST.

“Like what Coach Nash said, he said our focus, then looked at me, was pretty bad in preparation for La Salle. I think we took that as a learning opportunity. The next couple days of practice, I mean, we weren’t super focused, but we were a little more focused and we came out with energy, and that was the outcome.”

Montebon also shared that he shifted his mindset coming into the game. He noticed that his team needed his aggression, and he unleashed it against UST.

“The first two games, I wasn’t too aggressive looking for my shots. I think I noticed that it made it a little harder for my teammates to get better shots. I just came with the mindset to try to be aggressive and then just play the flow of the game. If I have the shots, take it, if I don’t, try to give my teammates better shots.”

Despite the 2-1 start, Coach Nash shared that they’re still not thinking about preparations for the Final Four. 

“This is a long season, we’re not even thinking about that. We look at this game-to-game. We just played our third game. Every game is different, that’s something that we realized. From FEU to La Salle to UST, and I think we play Ateneo next.”

He also shared that they always remind their players that every game is different and added, “Wag kayo maging masaya do’n sa resulta. Moving forward, it’s going to be different when we play the next game.”

After the drastic loss to DLSU, Coach Nash wanted the Adamson Soaring Falcons to learn from the mistake of becoming too complacent.

“Iyan ang tendency ng tao eh, maging kampante, akala nila magagaling na. Then all of a sudden the next game, you face a tough team. Hopefully, they learned from that La Salle experience and prepare better moving forward.”

Adamson will face Ateneo next on September 21, Saturday, with the goal of improving to 3-1.

Read Similar: UAAP SCHEDULE: Catch the 87th Season Basketball Series