Times are changing for the Adamson University Soaring Falcons
Judging by the massive crowd that flocked the SM Mall of Asia Arena during the semifinals, Adamsonians do not take Final Four appearances for granted.
It had been five excruciating years since the Soaring Falcons made the dance and a lot has changed since: the team’s culture, recruitment, and personnel.
Both appearances ended in heartbreaking exits, but a closer look at the state of the Falcons then and now shows why these batch of Soaring Falcons are a special bunch.
When They Were Great
Smaller UAAP programs like Adamson need to be creative, patient, and lucky to assemble competitive teams given how better known schools attract talent.
The Season 74 Falcons were the culmination of nearly three years of scouting and grueling player development by the coaching staff.
Before they got to the halls of the San Marcelino-based program, Alex Nuyles, Jan Colina, Lester Alvarez, Jeric Cañada, Janus Lozada, Eric Camson, and Rodney Brondial were unproven prospects.Even their head coach Leo Austria was an unproven commodity when he took over for the then fledgling program.
“Ang sinasabi ko nga lagi, kung hindi ako nabigyan ng shot sa Adamson, wala ako ngayon,” Austria, now a three-time PBA champion head coach with the San Miguel Beermen, told Tiebreaker Times.
“Our players back then, they had the talent. Pero you still had to teach them how to play basketball, so to speak. Karamihan hindi sanay sa organized basketball and you had to show them how to use the talent they had.”
Having made the Final Four in Season 73, the ragtag Falcons shocked the UAAP in Season 74 after foiling the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ sweep during the very last game of the elimination round. They also earned a twice-to-beat advantage on the back of a brilliant season from the Bicolano Nuyles who was named a member of the Mythical Five.
But Adamson floundered in the big stage, losing both semifinals tiffs to the Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia-powered FEU Tamaraws.
When They Overachieved
It was hard to foresee the Falcons break a losing tradition they had built over the years heading into Season 79.
Hiring their third head coach in three years in Franz Pumaren and overhauling the roster with rookies, the Falcons looked like they were far from soaring form. But with the signing of Pumaren came not only his vaunted press, but his brash winning attitude.
And, when pushed off the ledge by the experienced hands of the renowned Pumaren, the Falcons figured out how to spread their wings and glide.
Wins against more experienced teams like National University were surprises at first, then became expected outcomes late in the season.
The fresh-faced Falcons qualified for the Final Four two weeks before the elimination round but were eliminated by the top-seeded DLSU Green Archers in a game.
“Wonderful run for us. I must say, even if we didn’t make it all the way, I can say it’s a magical run for us. Who would ever imagine or expect us to be in this kind of situation? It was a great game for us,” said Pumaren right after the Falcons were bounced.
Tale of Two Runs
From a team that banked on the development of unheralded recruits from different provinces to a team relying on a handful of Filipino-American recruits, the Falcons’ strategy have certainly changed over the years.
“You have to be creative if you want to win. For me, walang masama doon. Nakakatulong sa school at, more importantly, nakakatulong sa bata magka-exposure,” Austria thought.
Even if Adamson is getting their talent from a totally different source, they are still recruiting misfits – boys overlooked by other programs.
Take Jerrick Ahanmisi, for instance.
“He was bypassed by three big schools, probably they didn’t see the potential. They were saying he’s like this, he’s like that. Ako naman, as a college coach, your main objective is to develop players.
“You don’t want a finished product. Of course, bonus if he’s a finished product, but it gives you a priceless feeling if you develop them. First time you see Jerrick, I don’t think you’re gonna be impressed also, but you see the potential. Who would ever imagine that he’d be playing at this level?,” continued Pumaren who has compared Ahanmisi to his former player and UAAP MVP Renren Ritualo.
There is, however, a significant difference in both runs.
They didn’t know back then, but the FEU loss signified the beginning of the end of the Leo Austria era.
“After that season we lost so many key players. Na-injure pa ‘yung shoulder ni Alex (Nuyles) against FEU. Same injury na na-aggravate the following year kaya di niya natapos ‘yung Season 75. Marami talagang naging challenges for the team those last two seasons kasi every year nawawalan ka ng player,” recalled Austria who left Adamson after Season 76 which also led to the early departures of guard Jericho Cruz and African student-athlete Ingrid Sewa.
When the millennial Falcons fell to Green Archers, on the other hand, the story was of a sign of better things to come.
With most of the team’s core eligible to play at least three more seasons together, the talk was of future championships rather than present disappointment.
“When they asked me, this year was just supposed to be a gestation period for us eh. Getting to know, warming up, but we overachieved. I mentioned that to the players, when I took over, sabi ko, we don’t really have a bad team. We played in the preseason, I think we can compete.
“Of course, I don’t tell that to management, I didn’t tell that to the players. But when we started playing here in the UAAP, we started seeing the other opponents, us coaches were discussing it, we have a shot at the Final Four. I’m so proud of this. I’ll tell you honestly, frankly, I’m excited for next year. Season 80, Season 81, I’m excited,” Pumaren declared.
“I don’t sugarcoat anything — I’m here to give Adamson a championship before my contract expires.”
Atmosphere of Hope
Whatever time it may be, winning games in the most popular collegiate league in the country will always mean more to small schools like Adamson compared to the bigger, more reputable schools.
Even when the Falcons aren’t very good, Adamsonians still come out to the games. But when the Falcons are winning, the Falcons flock the stands of whatever venue, creating an unrivaled atmosphere.
“Noong time ko, ramdam mo na so many people within the school were so excited and cared about the team. Parang every student gave attention and I know that was an experience my players back then will never forget,” Austria reminisced.
“What’s so funny nga eh, they were telling me na now I’m spoiling Adamson naman. When we won one, two, three games, they said ‘Coach, okay na yan. People, alumni, okay na ang ganda. But then when we started making a run, 4-0, then we lost, parang hindi na agad sanay. Sabi nila, you’re spoiling us kasi.
“At least, the culture right now has dramatically changed, especially with this experience of playing in the playoffs and in the knockout game,” Pumaren thought.
With a promising start, this batch of Falcons are looking to do what the Season 74 team, and so many other Falcons before them, couldn’t do.
For once, clear skies are ahead for the San Marcelino birds.
