For Dany Golike, making an impact is not just about finding the back of the net.
Whether scoring himself, setting up his teammates, or coming off the bench, the Cameroonian forward is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Adamson University’s remarkable run in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament going.
Golike proved that in Adamson’s 2–1 victory over defending champion University of the Philippines last Sunday, setting up both of Marlon Dasig’s goals as the Soaring Falcons closed out the first round atop the standings with 16 points from five wins and a draw.
While forwards are often expected to prioritize scoring, Golike has embraced a more selfless approach, recognizing that creating opportunities for his teammates can be just as valuable as finding the target himself.
“For me, I know what to do to give the assist, and I know what to do to score,” he said.
“As long as my teammates are in a good position — not only Dasig, but anyone — once I see you in a good position, I’m going to do the work and lay it off for you to score.”
The Marketing Management student’s willingness to put the team first extends beyond creating scoring opportunities.
Throughout the season, he has alternated between starting and substitute roles, a situation he has readily accepted as Adamson continues to defy expectations.
Regardless of when his number is called, Golike remains focused on making an impact in the final third and helping the Soaring Falcons secure positive results.
“Actually, for me, starting or not starting is not a problem because we have game plans,” he said. “So starting or not starting, it’s okay, as long as I can contribute to the team and help the team get the points and get the win. It’s about knowing what to do when you go inside — give what you can do to help the team win the game.
“So starting or not starting is okay; it’s about following the game plan.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Still, Golike has personal ambitions for the second round, particularly when it comes to increasing his scoring output.
With just one goal to his name this season, coming in Adamson’s 3–0 victory over the University of the East on October 11, he is eager to find the net more often without losing sight of the bigger picture.
“It’s just about following the coaches, but personally, I want to score more because this season I haven’t scored a lot. I really want to score more goals in the second half. But as of now, I’m okay; it’s good with Dasig — we help the team win games, and that’s what matters. We’re going to step up in the second round to keep up with the standards.”
Adamson’s rise has been one of the biggest stories of Season 89, but the Soaring Falcons’ breakthrough did not happen overnight.
Before climbing to the top of the UAAP standings, Adamson captured the Tuloy Invitational Cup 2026, giving the squad an early confidence boost ahead of the collegiate season. That triumph also raised expectations for a team now determined to turn its impressive form into a historic campaign.
For Golike, the foundation of Adamson’s success lies in trusting the system being built by head coach Darlton Digha and his coaching staff.
“Actually, it’s a new program,” he explained further. “We need to believe and trust the coaches, follow their system, and understand what they’re trying to work on with us. For sure, they are trying to put in a system that favors all the players.
“So we just need to use our skills and our thoughts about football to try to build up the system, and then we just need to trust each other and follow the system because it’s time to believe in ourselves — it’s a long-term program.”
As the surprise package of Season 89, Adamson now faces the challenge of sustaining its momentum with a historic milestone within reach.
The Soaring Falcons are chasing their first Final Four appearance since the program entered the UAAP in Season 77.
With six matches remaining, seven more points could be enough to secure their place in the semifinals. However, turning that possibility into reality will require Adamson to handle the growing pressure, especially as its rivals intensify their own bids for a Final Four berth.
Golike knows the second round will bring a different level of competition, but he believes the Soaring Falcons have the right foundation to meet the challenge.
“Yeah, the second round brings more pressure,” said Golike.
“Everybody’s fighting for a Final Four spot, but we trust the team and we trust the coaches. We are watching them do the work, taking every game as a final, and trying to end up at the top of the table so we can achieve something this season.”
