From the outside, transferring from the men’s team to the women’s team seems like a demotion from the ranks. But for former Adamson Soaring Falcons head coach Mike Fermin, it’s another challenge that he wants to overcome.
From a young line-up last year, the Lady Falcons currently have a younger team, losing the likes of Princess Cochico, Karen Ido, and Jamille de Castro. The key losses though did not stop the lady cagers from San Marcelino from overcoming the a turnover-plagued game and the UP Lady Maroons to win its UAAP Season 79 debut.
“Nakakatuwa since I’ve been coaching women’s basketball for so long and this is where I started,” the 38 year old shared. “Coaching them is a new challenge again for me kasi, coming from the men’s team, iba ang skill level.”
“That’s why I have to adjust to them and they have to adjust to me.”
The Lady Falcons gave-up an 18 point lead but eventually found their composure in the end game.
“Masaya ako na they were able to follow and execute the game plan for this game,” Fermin remarked about the game that saw Adamson commit 36 turnovers. “In order for us to win, we have to think and hindi puwede ang barabara.”
“Mahaba pa naman ang season kaya magagawan pa namin ng solusyon yan. Little by little makaka-adjust pa kami sa mga mistakes namin.”
For Fermin, he wants to rebuild the school’s women’s basketball program, the once-strong program that has not tasted a Final Four appearance since Season 76.
“We are aiming for that Top Four. From there, tratrabahuin namin ito one game at a time,” Fermin said when asked about his goal for the season.
“Kami dati sa men’s team, win as many games as possible. Sa kanila, tinaasan ko yung goal para naka-focus sila.”
“Once we get there, we’ll have to re-focus again,” he closed.
And with Fermin steering the wheel, the program is in safe hands.
