Playing his best game yet for Adamson University in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, Earl Medina was quick to emphasize that home is truly where the heart is.
A key member of the Baby Falcons squad that captured the UAAP boys’ basketball title back in Season 86, Medina delivered 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists in Adamson’s 77-62 triumph over the University of the East on Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Rather than bask in the spotlight, Medina was quick to share the credit with his teammates and coaches, whom he said gave him the confidence and trust to perform at a high level against the Red Warriors.
“Siguro yung mga teammates ko na lang kasi simula nung pag-angat ko pa lang, ine-encourage nila ako, binibigyan nila ako ng confidence,” said the 19-year-old Medina. “Kahit yung past few games ko medyo slow, mino-motivate lang ako: pagdating sa offense, ma-shoo-shoot din yan at depensa lang, darating yung tira. Yung teammates ko talaga.
“Expectation talaga ng mga coaches sa akin ay to play defense tapos sa offense, spot-up shooter, counter, ganun.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Medina also credited seniors Matty Erolon and Monty Montebon for helping him adjust to the collegiate level.
The two upperclassmen, now in their fourth and third playing years respectively, have been instrumental in guiding the 6-foot-2 rookie as he navigates the tougher and faster pace of college basketball.
“Mas ahead sila sa akin. Mas may experience sila sa akin. Gusto ko talaga i-absorb lahat ng tinuturo nila sa akin,” he said.
As one of the young prospects expected to anchor Adamson’s program in the years to come, Medina knows that his development is only beginning.
What makes his journey even more special is that he gets to grow alongside former Baby Falcons teammates Jireh Tumaneng and Allen Perez, making his transition feel more like a continuation than a restart.
It’s often said that to grow, one must leave one’s comfort zone. But for Medina, the opposite seems to be true — he’s thriving right where he started.
“Siyempre, sobrang saya ko kasi lahat nag-stay at iba kasi yung teammate sa high school tapos pagdating mo sa seniors, kasama mo pa rin sila,” he said.
“Sobrang saya sa pakiramdam.”
