The misery of Season 79 cannot be understated for the Adamson University Lady Falcons. Through the first 13 games, the young Adamson squad lost match after match, barely putting up a fight. Their only reprieve came in the final match of the season, a quick win over the perpetually-struggling University of the East Lady Warriors.
But Adamson always had their eyes set on Season 80. Several players in residency were finally eligible for the UAAP, while a pair of veterans, Mylene Paat and Fhen Emnas, came back after a year-long hiatus.
It took only two matches for the Lady Falcons to match their Season 79 total in Season 80, and only three games to surpass their lowly one win.
Judging by how the Lady Falcons reacted after their triumph over the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, they clearly have loftier goals than simply being happy with just two wins.
“I mean, it feels good. Obviously, last year was really, really, really, really, really rough for us, and only winning one game, um, it was hard,” said Adamson’s American coach Airess Padda.
“I think it shows that there’s been growth in our program, and our team is not just like a pushover team like we were last year. We can actually compete.”
Padda’s revamped lineup was seen as early favorites when Season 80 began. At 2-1, with wins over the UP Lady Maroons and the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, the Lady Falcons have proven there is more to them than hype.
The Lady Falcons next face the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Getting a win over a Final Four team last season will do wonders to further lift Adamson’s confidence.
Padda wants the Lady Falcons to show teamwork against the Golden Tigresses, who will mostly likely lean on the jumping fireball that is Sisi Rondina.
“I love her (Rondina’s) energy. She’s so athletic. When I talk about killer instinct, beast mode, she is probably the perfect example of that right now,” Padda expressed. “But you know, one player can’t win games, you can’t do it by yourself. I’m fully aware of that, and I think the girls are, too. We’re not gonna get intimidated by her.
“This is gonna really challenge us as a team for blocking and our defense. And again, you can’t win games by yourself.”
