Loyalty has always run in the blood of Adamson legend Ewon Arayi
After leading the Adamson University Lady Falcons to two UAAP Women’s Basketball Championships, the 5-foot-5 floor general immediately enlisted herself in the Philippine Women’s National Basketball Team. And she became the team’s loyal soldier.
Even if Perlas experienced a shift of sponsors and coaches during her time, the proud daughter of Bolinao, Pangasinan did not let it hinder her service to the country. For eight years, she was the team’s rock.
But she always had one dream: To one day return to Adamson.
When Lady Falcons head coach Mike Fermin was promoted to chief tactician of the Baby Falcons, Arayi immediately applied for the job. But it was not her time yet, as John Callos was tapped as the team’s head coach.
“Nag-apply ako two years ago. But siguro sabi ni God that it was not my time yet,” she recalled.
“Siguro, it’s His way of saying na hindi pa ako ready.”
The Lady Falcons struggled to gain steam under Callos, ending the tournament in fifth place after a Final Four finish just a season ago.
This time around, Adamson did not look far for their next mentor.
“Actually one year process ito,” she beamed. “Una sobrang happy kasi dream come true for me ito.
“Medyo bumaba yung Lady Falcons, dati one to four lagi kami. May pressure siyempre to turn things around kaya mixed emotions para sa akin ito.
“Very happy ako pero sana di ko ma-disappoint sila boss Gilbert Cruz, mam Eva Dulay, at Fr. Aldrin Suan,” she furthered.
A year prior to getting this job, Arayi had been tapped by Jubilee Christian Academy for their Girls’ team. In just a snap, she turned the fortunes of the program — steering the team to the top of the Filipino-Chinese league.
This time around, Arayi is tempering the expectations, as she is starting from scratch with the team she steered to the top of the collegiate world during the early 2000s.
“Madami yung expectations but yung point is hindi ako na-prepressure manalo. Nap-repressure ako to make them feel that they are a family,” she shared, as she is currently preaching the importance of loyalty to Adamson.
“The goal is talunin yung pride na nagtatanggal ng unity sa team.”
Still, she could not believe that her dream has finally come true.
“Matagal kong hinintay ‘to. Every time na nag-cocoach ako nung high school, iniisip ko talaga ito,” the 32-year-old said. “I’m very proud na yung Jubilee napa-champion ko from scratch at kami lang nakatalo sa Uno High School — yun yung ginagawa kong inspiration namin ngayon.
“Kung kinaya nila, kakayanin namin.”
