AJ Fransman, a versatile forward from San Pedro, Laguna, has been steadily making waves for Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Fransman’s performance peaked on Wednesday afternoon when he notched a UAAP career-high 14 points (13 coming in the second half) along with nine rebounds and an assist.
And his performance helped the Soaring Falcons snap a five-game, 35-day losing streak with a gritty 45-37 win over the UE Red Warriors at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Fransman credited Adamson head coach Nash Racela and his teammates for his continued growth.
But he also shared that he would not be the player he is today without the guidance of “older brother” and Enderun Colleges head coach Pipo Noundou.
Beyond the physical preparation he received from the Titans, Fransman revealed that Noundou’s focus on mental conditioning has been instrumental in his quick adjustment to the UAAP’s competitive level.
“Si Coach Pipo parang siya older brother ko. Ang one thing na tinulong sa akin ni Coach Pipo is the mental game, sa mental part ng game. Paano magbasa ng nangyayari offensively and defensively, more on mental part ng games ako tinuturuan ni Coach Pipo and more on sa skills ko rin,” the 23-year-old shared with Tiebreaker Times.
“Natuwa ako na yung lessons na nakuha ko sa kanya, na-apply ko and na-deliver ko yung kailangan ko i-deliver for the team.”
Noundou, a former FEU Tamaraw standout from the late 2000s, has been with the Titans’ coaching staff since 2012. He is currently the basketball program director for Enderun Colleges.
Fransman noted both the similarities and differences between Racela’s and Noundou’s coaching styles, but pointed to their high basketball IQ as a common thread that inspires him to perform for Adamson.
The 6-foot-3 forward praised both coaches’ European-inspired approach to basketball, emphasizing ball movement, fundamentals, and team play.
“Smart coaches sila. Parehas sila matalino na coaches na parang more on European style of basketball yung gusto nila para sa team,” added the former Mapua Red Robin.
Fransman expressed his gratitude for the way Noundou prepared him for the rigors of the UAAP, as the Soaring Falcons keep their hopes for a Final Four berth alive.
With Fransman’s career-best effort, along with Matty Erolon’s breakout 14-point performance, Adamson improved to 4-7.
They are now just half a game behind the fourth-place University of Santo Tomas with three games left in the elimination round.
“Thankful ako kay Coach Pipo. Coach Pipo, thankful ako sayo na how you prepared me for games like these, sa mga games like this and sa competition like this. More on sa mentally sa game rin,” Fransman vowed.
“Promise ko sa kanya na I’ll make it kung saan man ako makarating. I’ll make it and I know he’ll be proud pag nandoon na ako.”
