Adamson University have experienced too much heartbreak, too much pain, and too much drama for the past five years.
After gaining second seed but falling to the FEU Tamaraws during the 74th season of the UAAP, there was no where to go but up for that squad. However, an injury to Alex Nuyles a year later and a coaching carousel in the next three years sent the program to rock bottom – both figuratively and literally.
Enter multi-time UAAP champion head coach Franz Pumaren.
The Soaring Falcons tapped the services of the decorated mentor last December, exciting the whole community. However, the 52-year-old tempered the expectations of the community, only promising that he “will bring back the respect they deserve.”
Behind a plethora of Filipino-American recruits conditioned to play Pumaren’s nightmare press for 40 whole minutes, the young Soaring Falcons hastened the process — much to the surprise of Pumaren himself.
“We were able to fast-track everything. Like what I mentioned in the preseason, we’re looking at 2017,” the first-year mentor said.
“This year, we just wanted to be very competitive. But I guess my players, they want to attend that advance party, and they were able to accept and embrace what they were supposed to do, and that’s why we’re here.
“Nobody expected us to be here in the Final Four,” he added.
Wednesday afternoon, with the magic number of wins set at seven, the young Falcons did not hesitate in seizing the opportunity, blasting season-hosts UST 76-61 to clinch the last remaining Final Four spot. Leading the way for them were rookies Robbie Manalang and Jerrick Ahanmisi, both scoring 16 markers each.
For the two, it’s about growing with the team and changing the culture of the school.
“I’m at a loss for words. Ever since I got here to Adamson, I knew that the basketball history wasn’t that great, and I really wanted to change that and be a part of something great,” the 23-year-old Manalang said.
“I knew that we were gonna make it this far as a team if we just follow what coach Franz told us to do,” Ahanmisi furthered.
“For me, I feel proud to put on an Adamson journey and back up my school and make everybody proud.”
And no one was more happy than Pumaren himself.
“I think right now, we’re living the dream.”
With the unexpected Final Four slot at hand, Pumaren is now raising the stakes as they are still in contention for the second twice-to-beat incentive.
“We’re living the dream. and we’ll continue dreaming, we’ll continue the journey.
“We’re in a situation where there’s a possibility that we can create a tie for the second spot, why not? I guess we’re the gate-crasher right now in this final four dance and you know, with this opportunity, might as well make the most out of it,” he closed.
