Adamson University is facing a promising period of regeneration ahead of the UAAP Season 82 Women’s Volleyball Tournament after injecting itself with a massive dose of youthful talents.
“We’re working very hard para at least bawat laban, sabihin natin na todo lumalaban. Of course, gusto natin na makarating doon sa pinakatuktok, pero it’s early to say na kumbaga makukuha namin kaagad ‘yung championship,” said head coach Lerma Giron, who’s looking to guide the Lady Falcons out of the abyss following a forgettable 2-12 campaign a year ago.
“Let’s be realistic na it’s a new team. So ang pinaka-realistic na goal is at least makapasok ng Final Four.”
So the question to ask is: Who will lead Adamson in this rebuilding phase?
Giron already had this covered by bestowing the mantle of leadership on Louie Romero. The rookie out of Kings Montessori has been tasked to show the way for a relatively young core of Lady Falcons, who will be without a few of their integral cogs in Chiara Permentilla, Bern Flora, and Lucille Almonte.
In accordance with this, another question comes into mind: Is Romero the right person to lead the Lady Falcons back to contention?
For one, the former Palarong Pambansa Best Setter has already proven in the 2019 PVL Collegiate Conference that she has all the makings to steer Adamson to greater heights. Fanning out a league-high 6.75 excellent sets per frame, her playmaking brilliance during their championship run proved enough of a testament that she can live up to the billing.
But the respect she has gained from those around her from that point onward shatters all the notions that make her unworthy of the lofty position.
“Being the leader, kelangan mong irespeto ‘yung tao kahit bata man ‘yan or matanda, andoon dapat ‘yung respeto,” the 19-year-old Romero bared.
“Sumasakay naman sila sa ‘kin. Nagtutulungan lang kasi kami.”
Remember when the team’s rising star and second-year hitter Trisha Genesis insisted that Romero should have won the MVP plum of the PVL Collegiate Conference instead of her? That alone speaks volumes of the trust and respect her teammates have for her.
For her part, though, she’s grateful that she has the full support of the team.
“Being a rookie captain is a big responsibility talaga, so by the help of my teammates and the coaches, kakayanin ko ito,” confided Romero, who also attributes her steady transition to the post to battle-tested libero Thang Ponce.
As she put it, “Marami na siyang pinagdaadanan eh. Alam niya kung ano ‘yung kalakaran, ano ‘yung mararamdaman kong pressure sa UAAP. Lagi niya akong kinakausap kung ano ‘yung mga pwedeng gawin. And kung paano mai-handle ‘yung team.”
There’s no denying that Romero is still learning the ropes of captaincy, but she’s giving it her all to lead Adamson by example.
“Vocal and action ako kasi talaga. Feel ko may kulang ‘pag hindi ako nagsasalita eh. Tsaka sa action, makikita naman talaga.”
It’s still early to say whether or not Adamson will be a strong contender for a title this season. But do expect that as long as Romero is at the forefront of their thrust, the sky is the limit for these young Lady Falcons.
