First-year Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren was just proud of his team’s magical run.
It was a magical season for the Adamson University Soaring Falcons. After missing out on the post-season since 2011 – and even bottoming in the standings, Adamson returned to the Final Four this season.
“Wonderful run for us. I must say, even if we didn’t make it all the way, I can say it’s a magical run for us. Who would ever imagine or expect us to be in this kind of situation?,” Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren reflected.
And no one expected that they will give the league-leading De La Salle Green Archers a run for their money in the semifinals. The Soaring Falcons did not buckle even when the Green Archers tried to break the game wide open during the second frame when they held a game-high eight-point lead. However, the team’s youth turned against them late in the game.
With 4:27 left in the game and La Salle up by just two points, floor general Robbie Manalang, unable to get free from fellow rookie Aljun Melecio, elbowed the La Sallian resulting to an unsportsmanlike foul that extended La Salle’s lead to six points.
Pumaren did not blame his point guard after the 64-69 loss, saying that it was a result of the team’s inexperience.
“Sa akin, I can live with that. If my player did that, so be it. That’s a sign of a very young team, of a rookie. Kasalanan. We were still in the game,” the multi-time UAAP champion head coach said.
However, just 28 seconds later, Pumaren himself was called for a technical foul for crossing the half court line after a loose ball call did not go their way. Unlike Manalang’s mental lapse, this infuriated the La Salle alumnus.
“I talked to the Commissioner, sabi ko, you don’t hear anything from me, I don’t complain and everything, pero come on naman, commissioner. Crucial part? I’m not saying it decided the game, but you know, it twisted the game, actually,” Pumaren lamented.
“You be the judge. Dapat bang i-technical, crucial part? Pinick-up ko yung ball sa midcourt. Ni hindi nga ako nag-reklamo eh, I just picked up the ball. All my life coaching, all my life playing, I never experienced this.”
Adamson continued to keep close even after all of this transpired. However, their shots failed them during crunch time, resulting to the loss. For Pumaren, the way they were able to keep close with La Salle’s high-powered line-up was just a glimpse of things to come for his young team.
“There’s always room for improvement and this tournament is an eye-opener for us because maturity, experience play a major role, but we survived it. Very exciting and we’re looking at Season 80,” he said with optimism.
“Ako, isa lang ang sinasabi ko, I’m not here to be a figurehead for Adamson, the face of Adamson. I’m here to give Adamson a championship. Hindi ko isu-sugarcoat yun, I won’t make those political statements.
“No, I’m here because I’m gonna give Adamson a championship.”
