Adamson University endured over eight years of heartbreak and struggles leading into UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament. But this year, the Lady Falcons set out to rewrite their story.
Determined to transform their culture, Adamson finished the eliminations as the third seed with a 9-5 record, a testament to their grit and focus. Their hunger to break the Lady Falcons’ long-standing Final Four “curse” came to life in the first phase of the stepladder semifinals against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, with Cheska Apag leading the charge.
In a game that seemed destined to slip away, Adamson found themselves just 5.5 seconds from elimination. Apag seized the moment, grabbing an offensive rebound off Kim Limbago’s missed three-pointer and sinking a baseline jumper to force overtime.
Her heroics inspired the Lady Falcons to push through and secure their first podium finish since Season 79 in 2016. That year, under head coach Mike Fermin, stars like Kaye Pingol and Mar Prado carried the team to third place.
This time, it was Apag who delivered under pressure.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yung shot ko? Hindi ko naman inexpect ‘yon. Hindi ko inexpect na papasok ‘yon kasi five seconds na lang ‘eh, as in hindi ko talaga ineexpect. Siguro, narinig din ni God yung panalangin ko na ibigay Niya ito sa amin,” Apag told reporters.
The emotional win marked a turning point for the 21-year-old guard, who shed tears as the final buzzer sounded, knowing the Lady Falcons had finally broken their Final Four curse.
“Kasi yung dating team ng Adamson, pag Final Four, hindi sila makaangat sa third. Kaya ako emotional kasi nabreak namin yung curse na hanggang Final Four lang sila talaga. Kaya rin ako naging emotional kasi grabe rin yung effort na pinakita ng teammates ko sa lahat, kahit sa mga supporters namin,” said Apag, a product of Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive School.
She credited the team’s resilience and belief in each other, inspired by their coach’s mantra of “Big Effort.”
“Palagi nila sinasabi na kaya niyo yan. Kahit malaki yung mga kalaban niyo, kayang kaya niyo tapatan yung mga yan. Sabi nga ni coach, ‘Big Effort,’ yun yung palagi namin tinatatak sa isip namin,” Apag added.
Now on the cusp of a Finals berth for the first time since 2011, Adamson aims to topple the defending champions, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses.
With Apag, Elaine Etang, and Nigerian center Victoria Adeshina leading the charge, the Lady Falcons are ready to challenge UST’s star-studded lineup, featuring Kent Pastrana and Tacky Tacatac.
“It’s all about the heart na talagang gusto namin manalo kahit na mahirap, pero still, we know that we can do it. Buo kami na kaya namin manalo even though despite na lamang sila sa amin, sa amin walang superstar, but still buo kami na willing manalo sa game na ito.”
