Darlton Digha has spent years helping Adamson University climb out of the doldrums.
Now, with the Soaring Falcons emerging as the team to beat in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament, the head coach is finally seeing the fruits of that long journey.
Digha made a triumphant return to the sidelines last Sunday, leading the league leaders to what could be their biggest win of the campaign so far — a 2–1 victory over defending champion University of the Philippines.
Dany Golike and Marlon Dasig delivered the crucial goals to secure Adamson’s fifth win of the season, allowing the Soaring Falcons to strengthen their hold on first place and remain unbeaten heading into the second round.
The Cameroonian tactician had missed Adamson’s previous matches against Far Eastern University and De La Salle University, leaving assistant coach Lemuel Unabia and the rest of the coaching staff to steer the team through those fixtures. Despite being without their head coach on the touchline, the Soaring Falcons dug deep and continued to deliver results.
As it turned out, Digha had several personal and professional commitments to attend to during his absence.
“Oh, you know, first things first, I was out for various reasons,” said Digha. “There were two reasons why I was out: I was out for my papers — I had to fix my status — and I just graduated because I had to take a Master’s program, so it’s a little bit different.
“Also, I always have a commitment as a professional player; I was supposed to play in the AFC Challenge League [with One Taguig], but it didn’t happen. And for my players, you know, they understand the assignment, and they understand me as a coach in terms of being passionate and young — I still play,” he continued.
“So if I’m not around because I have a playing commitment, I think the least they can do to back me up is to step up, and they did. That’s why, you know, they’re not just my players; they’re family too. So when I’m not around, they step up, and that just makes it special.”
With or without Digha directing proceedings from the sidelines, the Soaring Falcons have maintained their intensity and hunger throughout the first round, establishing themselves as legitimate contenders in the race for the championship.
Golike and Dasig have emerged as two of Adamson’s most reliable game-changers, although their contributions have come in different roles. Both have alternated between starting assignments and appearances off the bench, proving that their impact is not determined by how many minutes they spend on the pitch.
Rather than dwelling on their place in the lineup, the two have consistently delivered whenever called upon, embodying the team-first mentality that Digha has worked to instill in his squad.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“You know, it’s simple. We have a new rule in the team where if you train well, you play,” said the fourth-year head coach. “Regardless of whether you’re a senior player, a rookie, or an FSA, right? So if you don’t see Dany in the starting lineup, it means he didn’t deserve to be there, and they understand.
“But I think coming off the bench, he’s trying to give us a lot of messages along with Dasig that they want to be in the starting XI. And they responded today with Dany being in, and he made an impact — he’s Man of the Match. I’m happy for him. So the message out there to our players: nothing must change in terms of how we work. What has changed is that you need to deserve to play.”
Digha reserved special praise for Dasig, whose three goals this season have all come off the bench, underscoring the value of having players who can make an immediate impact regardless of their starting status.
“You know, Dasig is that type of player who has understood his role,” said the 28-year-old. “He has to play for the team, and he embraces that role. You know, I have so much respect for that—a player who works hard in training, who deserves to be starting, but we give him a role, and he has embraced it. So I can really be proud, and you know, I’m happy for him, and I hope better things come for him.”
For Adamson, the challenge now is to prove that its impressive first-round run is no fluke.
Sitting atop the standings and still unbeaten, the Soaring Falcons know they will have a target on their backs when the competition resumes in a few weeks. After their victory over the Fighting Maroons, Digha reminded his players that maintaining their momentum will require even greater discipline and determination in the second round.
Still, the Adamson mentor is embracing the moment, taking pride in the program’s transformation after years of struggling to find its footing.
For Digha, the team’s rise carries a significance that goes beyond the standings. Having spent eight years with Adamson — four as a player and four as a coach — he has witnessed firsthand the struggles that preceded the Soaring Falcons’ emergence as one of the tournament’s leading sides.
“I mean, I’ve been with Adamson for eight years—four years as a player, four years as a coach — and, you know, for me, this is something big personally,” said Digha.
“Also, I always say I’m trying to give back to the school; I’m a volunteer. I’m giving back to the community. Four years as a player, we were at the bottom; first three years as a coach, we struggled, and we found ourselves right here. We could be proud, right? I’m just proud of this moment.”
