When Adamson University extended its dominance in UAAP Softball with a 12th straight championship last season, captain Remelie Herrero, Alaiza Talisik, Aliza Pitchon, and MJ Maguad were at the forefront, leading the Lady Falcons to victory.
This season, however, Adamson would have to move on without these four key players, all of whom have already exhausted their playing years. The challenge now fell on the shoulders of the remaining squad members to step up as leaders for the new batch.
Head coach Ana Santiago, though, made a decisive choice for the role — no less than their Season 87 Finals gamechanger, Mae Langga.
Langga had anticipated the leadership opportunity following the graduation of the seniors, but was still surprised to be entrusted with the captainship.
“Nung una, parang kabado pa. Siyempre, ang laki nung iha-handle kong team. Hindi lang naman ‘yan basta-basta. Pero ang sa ‘kin, I accept the challenge siyempre. Gano’n ako ka-loyal sa Adamson na gusto kong i-angat sila, gusto kong i-lead ‘yung team ko,” she shared, fully aware of the weight of leading a titleholder squad.
As one of the team’s seniors, Langga embraced her role not just as a captain but also as the glue holding together a mix of seasoned student-athletes and rising talents. For the Lady Falcons, it was also a matter of initiative — stepping up to ensure the squad could continue its legacy of success.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Nung mga time na siyempre alam na namin na may ga-graduate, may mawawala talaga, kailangang may pumalit. So, sila, in-accept na rin nila na wala na ‘yung mga ate namin, kailangan naming pumasok. Kami ‘yung magpupuno nung magiging kulang ng team,” the fourth-year standout shared.
“Hindi naman kami sigurong nahihirapan na kumbaga tanggapin ‘yung mga kakulangan, but still siyempre, wino-work out pa rin namin kasi hindi siya madalian. Hindi siya overnight thing lang, so, parang kami pinupunuan namin ‘yung pagkukulang sa team.”
Even with a strong start — finishing the first round at the top of the standings with a 3–1 record — Langga admits the Lady Falcons are still far from the team they aspire to be.
This is the growth Langga hopes to see in the second round, which kicks off on Saturday.
“Nakikita naman ng lahat na marami pa kaming kulang sa amin. So, ngayon, ginagawa namin — and even ngayon na during the season, sinisipagan naming mapunuan siya. Sinisipagan naming ma-work out kung ano pa ‘yung mga kulang namin. Tiwala lang sa isa’t isa, lalo na kay God,” the 25-year-old captain said.
“Sa ‘min, trying hard and working hard pa rin kami na makuha pa rin ‘yung gusto pang ma-achieve ng team. Working hard pa rin kami na ‘yung gustong makita ni coach sa ‘min, kasi so far hindi pa namin masasabi na ito na ‘yung level ng laruan namin. Kasi para sa coach namin, meron pa, may ibibigay pa.”
