The re-emergence of Adamson University continues.
In the first round, the Soaring Falcons suffered four consecutive heartbreak losses against UST, UP, FEU, and DLSU. Their string of defeats led them to have a 1-6 record to settle near the bottom of the league standings.
Come the second round, Nash Racela’s squad has been turning things around with better execution in late-game situations. In fact, they’re currently on a two-game winning streak after carving out a 62-55 victory against National University on Tuesday evening.
“At least in the second round, we’re learning how to win,” the champion mentor shared.
“The first round really helped us, especially the boys, in growing and today naipakita nila.”
The UAAP Season 78 champion coach stressed the importance of playing as a team and pointed out that the continuous growth of his players has been key to their recent wins as of late.
“You guys always talk about Jerom Lastimosa but it’s about the team. Si Jerom is just doing his part — he’s now involving his teammates. But ang napapansin ko is the trust in each other has been growing,” said Racela.
“Guys like sila Cedrick [Manzano] and Vince [Magbuhos] — all the other guys, pinagkakatiwalaan na ni Jerom that’s why mas maganda ‘yung nilalaro nila as a team.”
Against NU, the Soaring Falcons used a collective effort on both ends of the floor, especially in the closing stages of the game to carve out the narrow victory.
Jerom Lastimosa led the pack with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists. He also made his presence felt on the defensive end after tallying a career-high three blocks and two steals.
“Siyempre we’re happy,” said Lastimosa, relieved that his late-game heroics did not go for naught.
“Na-learn na namin ‘yung mga dumaan sa’min nung first round so we’re happy.”
Didat Hanapi added 13 points and five rebounds while Keith Zaldivar contributed 10 points of his own.
Without their foreign student-athlete Lenda Douanga, players like Cedrick Manzano and Vince Magbuhos also had to step up in the paint as they produced nine and eight rebounds, respectively.
“Feeling blessed kami kasi nanalo kami tapos ginagawa ko lang ‘yung part ko as a big man. Wala pa kaming import tapos na-injure pa nga siya so ako ‘yung nagiging first big man sa court,” Manzano said after scoring eight points in the win.
After securing back-to-back victories, Racela can only be proud of the fight and resiliency that his boys have shown in the game.
“We’re just happy that we’re getting wins just by doing the right things. They deserve this because they don’t give up and they continue to fight regardless,” he claimed.
“And that’s something that as a coach I’m really, really proud of kasi kahit anong sitwasyon andiyan lang sila lumalaban.”
Now finding themselves in a tight battle for the fourth spot, the Soaring Falcons will need to exhibit more of those intangibles in their coming games in order to successfully clinch a Final Four seat this season.
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