Adamson University head coach Ryan Monteclaro believes that the Lady Falcons’ rise in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament is closely tied to the growth of Nigerian student-athlete Victoria Adeshina as a more complete player.
Adeshina, who earned a spot in the Mythical Five back in Season 85, struggled to replicate that success in Season 86.
However, things have changed this season.
Adeshina led Adamson with 18 points and seven rebounds in their 60-56 victory over University of the Philippines at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Monteclaro expressed his admiration for Adeshina’s willingness to embrace her role, noting her evolution as both a player and a leader.
“I’m really proud and amazed with how she accepts her role. Last year, I told her that even if she scores 17 points a game while we’re losing, no one will talk about it. She responded by saying, ‘Coach, whatever you want me to do, I’m willing to do it,’” Monteclaro shared after the team improved to 4-2, marking its best start since Season 82.
Monteclaro also highlighted the significance of appointing Adeshina as team captain, a rarity for a foreign student-athlete.
“That’s why I think this is the very first time a captain-ball is a foreign student-athlete. I’m not sure if this has happened with other teams, but I put her as the captain because I know she can lead this team. There’s no barrier with them.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
He also addressed the perception that Adeshina has stepped back from her Mythical Five form, explaining that while she previously garnered individual accolades, the team’s progress had stalled.
“Sabi nga, why is she parang stepping back in a way? Because she was Mythical Five but the team progress was stagnant. Now, she’s slowly getting into it while the team is going to another level.”
For Adeshina, now in her third playing year, the success against UP was the result of a collective team effort, and she was quick to credit her teammates for the win.
She emphasized the importance of bouncing back after a tough loss to the NU Lady Bulldogs earlier in the week.
“The team really wanted to win kasi we had a bad loss, as my coach said. We worked on that in the past two days and we really deserved to win,” she explained.
“We just talked to each other and said, ‘Okay lang. It’s okay.’ UP should shoot less. Just keep going and play good defense.”
As Adamson continues its pursuit of a Final Four berth for the first time since Season 82, the Lady Falcons are committed to sticking to their winning formula — putting the team first.
Adeshina fully embraces this philosophy.
“I’m so excited this season because, for the past two days, I wasn’t making a lot of points, but I was helping my teammates in any way I could. I’m still excited about my performance, and it’s all thanks to my teammates because, without them, I wouldn’t have been able to score much. It’s a collective effort.”
Monteclaro echoed Adeshina’s sentiment, emphasizing that Adamson’s success is built on teamwork rather than individual heroics.
“For us, it’s not about individual players — it’s about collective effort, team effort. As you noticed, wala kaming superstar eh. Wala kaming player we can go to, but we trust each other and we trust in our system.”
