Nash Racela got his wish last Sunday.
Behind Mathew Montebon’s game-winning dagger with 2.7 seconds left, Adamson University overcame the tough challenge from also-ran University of the East, 63-61.
They forced a playoff against the Ateneo Blue Eagles for the last UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Final Four ticket.
For Racela, it culminated in a roller coaster ride of anticipation and anxiety.
Firstly, he and the rest of the Adamson community needed De La Salle University to beat Ateneo last Saturday for them to even have a chance to force the knockout game by defeating UE.
“Coach Tab (Baldwin) was obviously cheering for UE today. They almost won. Yesterday, I was cheering for La Salle. Ganun talaga. That’s what makes it really fun – yung mga side stories na ganun,” he said.
“But both of us don’t really have a choice but to play that Wednesday game. It will be nice. It will be tough, especially after what happened but at the end of the day, it’s, again, all about preparation. We’ll just have to study again and prepare for Ateneo for Wednesday’s game.”
This is not the first time the Soaring Falcons have been in this situation.
Last season, they also finished with a 7-7 record at the end of the elimination round. They then needed to compete in a playoff with the Green Archers, who had the same standing, to make it to the Final Four.
Jerom Lastimosa powered Adamson with 22 points against La Salle in that game back on December 4, 2022, to provide the San Marcelino school with the last ticket to the semifinals.
Now, the question is – can the Soaring Falcons make it a case of déjà vu this time against the Blue Eagles?
Will their experience back then help them now? Racela is not sure, but he is confident his current lineup can withstand another challenge from the defending champions.
“As a coach, I hope, but last year compared to this year (involved) two different teams. Different teams, no? Different guys playing. But I’m sure some of those guys like sila Cedrick (Manzano) had that experience,” he said.
“Sino ba nandun last year? Sila Cedrick, sila Didat (Hanapi), sila Vince (Magbuhos) no but not everyone. Sila Monty (Montebon) are new guys. They weren’t (part of the team) last year – sila Matty (Erolon), sila Eli (Ramos), so a lot of new guys also,” he went on.
“But I think the biggest experience for our players is the games in the second round. You look at us, that’s when we grew.”
Racela is a coach who is not afraid to speak his mind.
He tends to sound off against teams and officials when he feels that his players are getting the shorter end of the stick. He is also adept at motivating his teams with a siege mentality by making them feel that the odds are stacked against them.
Come Wednesday, the Soaring Falcons have a chance to advance to the next round at the expense of the defending champions.
One can imagine the Season 78 champion mentor rallying his players for the big game by telling them that everyone wants and expects the Blue Eagles to advance.
Now, it is up to them to gatecrash the party once again.
“That’s all we want – to get a crack at that Final Four, because Adamson also deserved to be there right? Aren’t you surprised? Are you guys surprised that Adamson is competing?” he said.
“Give us a chance. Don’t settle for the defaults.”
