As the second round of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament approached, Adamson University found itself at a crossroads.
With a 3-4 record, the Soaring Falcons seemed unlikely to make it to the Final Four.
While they secured wins against FEU, UST, and a thrilling 60-58 buzzer-beating victory over NU — thanks to a clutch ‘eye in the sky’ play from Jhon Calisay and Joshua Yerro — their performance didn’t quite scream “Final Four contender.”
Even head coach Nash Racela, now in his fourth year with the team, would admit as much.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I don’t think we prepared them well during the preseason because we don’t have a program like the others, where they go abroad, play strong teams, and compete in major tournaments. Kami, dito lang puro tune-up games, laro sa maliit na liga, laro sa probinsya,” Racela reflected.
“When we suddenly play actual games in the UAAP, hindi pa sanay kasi hindi namin sila na-prepare. So that’s something we need to change — to make sure we’re not just peaking in the second round. That we’re ready from the very first game, like other teams who seem UAAP-ready from the get-go.”
Despite the rocky start, one thing became clear during the first round: Adamson had found its identity.
Unlike previous Falcons teams known for their efficient ball movement and sharp guard play, this year’s squad developed a gritty, defensive-minded persona.
By the end of the first round, Adamson had become the top defensive team in the league, allowing just 62.14 points per game and limiting opponents to a league-low 33.7-percent shooting from the field.
The Falcons also excelled in limiting free-throw attempts, averaging just 16.14 free throws per game, and dominated the paint, blocking 5.14 shots per game and allowing just 20 points in the key.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For Racela, known for his calm yet assertive coaching style, this newfound defensive identity became a focal point for Adamson success.
“We all know and we admit that they are all more talented than us,” he once said candidly.
“The only way to counter that really is playing good defense.”
However, the start of the second round proved challenging.
Adamson stumbled to a 3-7 record after losses to FEU, La Salle, and UP.
With only four games remaining, the Falcons were on the brink of elimination — two more losses would spell the end of their season.
But Racela remained steadfast in his belief in the team’s defensive identity.
“I think it’s because of the design of our program, which I think needs to change. What do I mean? This is something I’ve realized lately, even during my first three seasons: We always play better in the second round. I think that’s because we always have new guys coming in,” he said, acknowledging his team’s resilience.
The Falcons responded by locking down UE and NU.
Despite a tough collapse against UST that nearly derailed their season, Adamson bounced back, soundly defeating Ateneo to force a playoff for the last Final Four spot.
On Wednesday evening, Racela’s squad put together a masterful performance, defeating UE 68-55 to punch their ticket to the Final Four.
As the regular season concluded, Adamson remained the league’s top defensive team, holding opponents to the lowest field-goal percentage while also ranking in the top two for points allowed in the paint.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
But the journey is far from over.
In the Final Four, Adamson faces the daunting challenge of taking on defending champions La Salle — a team that handed them two heavy defeats in the elimination round, with an average margin of 27.5 points per game.
“Total of 55 yun a,” Racela remarked, referring to the combined margin of La Salle’s wins over them.
“The good thing about it is we don’t have to bring it into the Final Four. We just leave it at that. That’s the same mentality. Hopefully, we give them a challenge, and hopefully, we beat them. What’s important is we gave ourselves a chance.”
