Rose Ann Dampios’ final dance as an Adamson Lady Falcon in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Basketball Tournament did not unfold as planned.
After averaging 12.17 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.08 assists, and 2.92 steals in Season 85, her numbers plummeted to 5.0 points, 1.64 rebounds, 1.14 assists, and 1.07 steals in Season 86.
In her last collegiate game, Dampios contributed three points, two assists, and one rebound in Adamson’s season-ending 71-60 win over Far Eastern University last Sunday.
As it turns out, she represented Adamson this season despite not being at 100 percent.
“She has an ACL injury. That’s the reason some of the media, they were asking me why limited minutes playing si Dampios e last year 18, 19 points may time na 20 points,” said coach Ryan Monteclaro.
“So that shows the character of Rose Ann, I want to put emphasis on her career kase nga pwede niya i-skip eh. Pero sabi niya when we had [the conversation], ‘Coach, I want to play on my final year,’” he continued.
“Unfortunately for her, part siya ng pandemic year, may final year pa sana siya next year, may isa pa sana but pandemic, a lot happened to players.”
For her part, Dampios accepted that she would have limited contributions on the court this season. She took the initiative to be a leader for her teammates, cheering them on and encouraging them to do their best in matches and in practice.
It must have been frustrating for her to be relegated to such a role in her final season, but she made the most of the cards she was dealt.
“Katulad nung sinasabi ni coach, yung leadership po. Ako yung pinakamatanda sa kanila. Hindi ko na po tinignan yung laro, yung playing time. Kung paano na lang po ako makakatulong off the court,” the graduating guard out of Marikina said.
The plan is for Dampios to have surgery now that the Lady Falcons’ campaign has ended. Despite the unfavorable circumstances, she stayed with Adamson throughout the season.
Her love for her school will forever be remembered by her teammates, coaches, and school officials. For Monteclaro, her commitment may open up another role with Adamson down the line.
“We wanted to give her a fitting end sa career niya. I think that shows the things we have in Adamson. I know madaming nagqu-question, I think don sa nalaman niyo with Rose Ann, madaming magqu-question bakit hindi pina-opera but then again, our school didn’t force them to do so. It’s their love for the school,” he said.
“Kase ganon sa Adamson eh. We value everyone, whether you’re a starter or the last man, we value you. Di namin sinabi kase we want her to have a fitting ending being with the team. It’s about school spirit and their love for Adamson,” the former Falcon continued.
“In the future, hopefully, baka siya na yung nandito sa upuan ko. Mangyayari kase, final year ko I was playing throughout a hamstring injury, every day may arcoxia ako.”
Adamson last made the Final Four back in Season 82 under coach Ewon Arayi. The Lady Falcons have finished in sixth place for the past two seasons.
Monteclaro stated that Adamson will try to have a formidable team next year as they will have an intact team, and there are players coming in from its team B as well as external recruits.
For Dampios, this level of competition amongst the players is what she hopes will propel the program back to the upper echelons of the league.
“So agawan ng spot,” she said. “Gagawin na lang namin is healthy competition pero hindi katulad ng iba na porket nag aagawan sa spot, nag-aaway kami or naglalaglagan kami but ipu-push namin yung bawat isa.
“Magtutulungan po kami kasi kung sino man yung maglalaro Adamson pa rin naman yung nire-represent namin, as long as manalo.”
