Adamson University ended a long and arduous 31-year year wait in the UAAP Boys’ Basketball Tournament with a masterful 90-73 win over National University Nazareth School in the winner-take-all Game 3 last Sunday.
And all they carried were the memories of last season that saw them crumble to Far Eastern University-Diliman.
“Nagtrabaho kami mula nung elimination round at naging motivation sa akin sila coach (Mike Fermin),” said big man JC Bonzalida, who tallied 15 points and 10 rebounds in Game 3.
Last season, Adamson cruised through the elimination round, only losing twice. They ousted University of Santo Tomas en route to the Finals.
However, the Baby Tamaraws spanked the Baby Falcons in Game 1, 85-74, before eking out a 77-76 win to clinch the crown.
It was a heartbreaking end for the then-Grade 11 standouts.
“Masaya po kasi ang ganda ng ending namin, champion kami,” said heady floor general and mythical team member Tebol Garcia, who logged 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists in the finale.
“Yung tumatakbo sa utak ko yung last season, sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Hindi ako matatapos na hindi ako matatapos na hindi kami champion at hindi ko nabigyan ng championship si Coach Mike.’”
“Masaya kami dahil nakapagbigay kami ng champion kay Coach Mike at maganda ang exit namin sa Adamson,” seconded Gene Carillo, who chipped in nine points, four assists, three rebounds, and a steal in the clincher.
This season, Adamson dominated in the elimination round — only losing once — before again eliminating UST.
In the finals, Adamson took Game 1 over NUNS, 77-71, before absorbing a 64-67 defeat to force a rubber match.
For Vince Reyes – who tallied 10 points and seven rebounds while also defending MVP Collins Akowe – they did not want to give their coaches the same heartbreak they experienced a year ago.
“Sobrang nagpapasalamat kami kay God dahil binigay Niya ito sa amin. Kung hindi dahil sa coaches namin, wala kami dito,” said Reyes, who just like Bonzalida, Garcia, and Carillo is graduating.
Now that they have accomplished their mission, the question is where are they headed next?
The quintet is not thinking about it yet as they have to accomplish one more thing – finish high school.
“Magtatapos po muna kami. Student-athlete di ba? Student muna bago athlete kaya kuha muna ng diploma,” said Garcia, a native of Pampanga.
Being a student first and an athlete second is the one lesson Fermin taught them that they will carry on to their next chapter.
“Lagi kong ini-instill sa kanila na student muna bago athlete. Pero pinagbigyan sila this week na hahabulin nila yung requirements at nagagawa naman nila. Nakakatuwa na may ganitong klaseng players kami,” said Fermin.
