Mike Fermin had a plan for the UAAP Season 86 High School Boys’ 3×3 Basketball Tournament.
He wanted to use the tournament as the ‘last dance’ of his seniors.
Adamson had planned to field the quartet of Tebol Garcia, Vince Reyes, JC Bonzalida, and Gene Carillo for the now regular sport in the UAAP set to take place from Thursday to Sunday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
However, things did not go as planned.
“They committed too early for college. How can I tell them to play for Adamson if they are no longer practicing with us?” lamented the UAAP champion coach.
Even prior to the SMART NBTC National Finals, Bonzalida was no longer practicing with the Baby Falcons.
The big man eventually committed to San Beda.
Carillo would end up at College of Saint Benilde while Garcia and Reyes pledged allegiances to National University after the NBTC Nationals.
“Sayang yung napag-usapan na last dance nila ito. Sana sinabi nila sa schools nila na tatapusin muna nila yung commitment nila sa Adamson,” continued Fermin.
“Naging medyo unfair lang din sa Adamson kasi technically, they are still students of Adamson.”
But Adamson has to move on.
The Baby Falcons 3×3 team will now be composed of Mark Esperanza, Earl Medina, Jose Tumabang, and Zahir Sajili.
Though filled with youth, the Adamson team will still be a formidable bunch.
“Ang kuya nila dito sina Earl, Tumabang, at Sajili pero si Mark yung magiging glue guy nila dito,” hopes Fermin.
“Of course, we have to move on and do our best to win this tournament for Adamson.”