The Adamson University Lady Falcons are currently in the midst of a resurgence in the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Last season, the lady cagers from San Marcelino finished in sixth place after the elimination round with a disappointing 4-10 campaign. Looking to bounce back, the Lady Falcons are currently in 4th place with a 4-5 slate and are in the driver’s seat for a place in the Final Four.
Adamson’s latest win was a crucial 65-64 overtime triumph over the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles last Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The result allowed the Lady Falcons some separation over the Lady Eagles, the team directly below them.
It was definitely a morale-boosting result for Adamson, as Ateneo had had a 13 point cushion in the fourth quarter. Something else to note is that Adamson have swept Ateneo this season, as the former had cruised to a 74-62 victory over the latter in the first round.
“Last season medyo hindi kami pinalad, ayun kailangan namin ibuhos. Once na manalo kami dito, stepping stone namin ito sa Final Four,” commented Adamson guard Jamie Alcoy.
Alcoy was instrumental in the Lady Falcons’ stunning comeback against Ateneo as she scored a game-high 16 points, eight of which came in the third quarter when Adamson were trying to catch up.
The Valenzuela City resident shared, “Inisip ko noon ang game namin against La Salle na sa akin pinagkatiwala yung last shot to win the game, unfortunately hindi ko po nagawa. Sabi ko kung bibigyan ako ng chance ibibigay ko ang best ko para makatulong sa team hindi po para sa akin kundi para sa team.”
Despite the huge outcome, Alcoy was under no illusions that there was still work needed to be accomplished for the Lady Falcons. She stated that new coach Mike Fermin constantly reminds the team to always take it one game at a time.
“Kasi isa lang and italo namin sa remaining games po namin, hahabol at habol sila. Hanggang may game pa, mag hard work po kami sa training para sa games mai-apply po naming dahil mahirap yung kami ang maghahabol,” Alcoy expounded.
Fermin had taken the reigns as Adamson head coach from Emilia Vega before Season 79 started and he has managed to stamp his authority on the team.
“Ayun po sa pagpasok pa lang ni coach Mike sinabi po nila, na walang po kaming superstar, walang seniority,” she remarked about her mentor.
“Kung ano ang ipapakita naming (sa practice) ayun din ang ibibigay na playing time.”
Aside from Fermin’s arrival and Vega’s exit, the Lady Falcons had to make do without key player Janelle De Castro due to graduation and Season 75 Rookie of the Year awardee Princess Cochico because of academic concerns. Nevertheless, Alcoy shrugged their absences off and said people come and go.
“Kung sino man ang nandyan na nagmamalasakit sa amin na turuan kami at i-guide kami sa dapat namin gawin, kailangan ma-adopt naming iyon lalo nawala sina Cochico at De Castro na main guys namin.
“Kailangan mag step-up lahat at sobra natutuwa ako at masarap sa feeling hindi lang sa akin pati sa mga teammates ko na (masarap) na nagtutulungan compared noong last year,” said the Sports and Wellness Management student.
Up next for Adamson are the University of Santo Tomas on November 9, 8:00 AM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. That is a 17-day hiatus from their last game, although a vacation is the last thing Alcoy and her teammates have on their minds.
“Sobrang crucial talaga kahit sembreak, actually wala kaming break, kailangan mag hard work pa rin kami sa practice, kasi alam namin hahabol at habol sila (UST). Kami yung nandito sa itaas syempre sila humabol po sila. Ganoon din ang willingness namin para manalo kahit nanalo kami noong first round kasi heto talaga ang mga crucial games.”
