The Adamson Soaring Falcons failed to win in their first game of the UAAP Season 78 Men’s Football Tournament against the UST Growling Tigers. The Soaring Falcons lost 1-2 to the Growling Tigers at the Moro Lorenzo Field at Ateneo de Manila University last February 11, 2015 (Thursday).
The Soaring Falcons were outplayed most of the game until the last ten minutes, when they were able to get a consolation goal. They pushed hard in search of an equalizer but it wasn’t meant to be. The Growling Tigers earned all three points while the Soaring Falcons will have to make do with the improvements they saw within themselves.
For one of the more senior members of the Soaring Falcons, Bless Brian II Jumo, was proud of how his team fought in the game. Jumo said, “Nagustuhan namin yung sa UST dahil yun nga akala namin na bago kami. Halos anim naglaro sa amin sa first eleven na rookies tas dalawa pa yung in residence dati so parang lumalaban kami ngayon, hindi tulad ng dati na talagang mahirap yung ano namin.”
Jumo expounded, “Ngayon parang sa amin talaga yung momentum sa UAAP na to.”
However, as all teams that were built from scratch such as the Soaring Falcons are works in progress. Jumo felt that the Soaring Falcons need to focus more during games because they’re only eighteen in the lineup. He also felt there were good and bad points they can pick up on. “Yung mga negative yung mga mistake na hindi namin maiiwasan sa game. Yung mga positive naman kailangan nandun yung pag-encourage namin sa teammates namin bilang seniors sa rookies namin. Kailangan namin I-step up sila.”
Jumo is one of four players being selected for the Adamson captaincy. He shared that leadership is something he is learning as things go by. “Mahirap din kasi may iba’t-ibang attitude yung mga rookies namin ngayon, hindi mo mababasa sila. Pero nandun na diyan eh. Nakikita mo silang gumagalaw rin bilang rookies. Happy pa rin ako na nakikinig sila sa akin.”
Since the Soaring Falcons have just taken their first steps in UAAP Football, only modest goals will do for now. In fact even a Final Four slot would be a sign of overachievement for them. Jumo explained, “Kailangan sa amin ngayon magfocus sa panalo. Yun at yung sabi ni coach na kahit hindi kami mag championship basta nandun kami lagi sa top four. Yun ang sinasabi sa amin.”
