By now, everyone knows that the Ateneo de Manila University have become the gold standard of Philippine collegiate basketball. From their preseason preparations, to the discipline possessed by the student-athletes, to the strategies of Tab Baldwin, everyone wants to be like the Blue Eagles.
But instead of following the trend of training abroad, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons did something different.
The Soaring Falcons began their preparations for the season as early as January, competing against semi-pros and ex-pros in the PBA D-League. They were the only UAAP team that competed in the Second League.
The Akari-backed squad ended the elimination round as the top seed with a 9-2 slate, before being knocked out in the semifinals of the 2018 Aspirants Cup by the veteran-laden Che’Lu-San Sebastian Revellers.
Adamson then figured in summer league tourneys like the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup and the SMART Breakdown Basketball Invitationals.
All because they want to be in the same tier as the Blue Eagles.
“We’d been working hard for this game,” recalled senior Papi Sarr. “I think the coach did a great job.”
“Pinag-pray namin game namin ngayon kasi preperado talaga kami sa Ateneo. Mahigit tatlong buwan kami naghanda kasi sila yung defending champion,” disclosed rookie Jerom Lastimosa.
“Like what Papi says, the coaches have been preparing us a lot and preparing us very well in this game. We started scouting them like months and months ago before this game,” added junior Jerrick Ahanmisi.
For his part, Franz Pumaren spent many sleepless nights watching, reviewing, and creating a system that would crack the Blue Eagles puzzle.
“In fact I had sleepless nights just reviewing their games in Jones Cup,” shared third-year Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren, as the Blue Eagles had competed in the Jones Cup for eight games in eight days.
“You could imagine the stacks of videos that I was watching every night trying to assess their weakness because I think this is the best Ateneo team that I’ve seen in terms of depth. Every position, I think, they’re three to four players deep.”
On September 9, all that preparation was executed. And the Soaring Falcons were able to score a stunner, 74-70.
“I just think they’re preparation was outstanding and players’ execution of a real good game plan was good.
“I acknowledge what he did and I think I would be kind of dishonest to the coaching profession if i didn’t compliment him [Franz Pumaren] for his job as a coach,” expressed Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin. “Doesn’t make me the all-time expert in coaching but it was fairly obvious today that his team was well-prepared for this game.”
Still, Pumaren knows that this is just one game. And on Monday, it’s back to work for him, his staff, and the Soaring Falcons.
“We still have to prove ourselves. Winning one game on opening day, winning one game against Ateneo won’t make us a championship team.”
But now, the Soaring Falcons have put the UAAP on notice – they’re here to fight, and to win.
