There are eight universities in the ongoing UAAP Season 87 High School Boys Basketball Tournament, but only Adamson University can lay claim to being the reigning champions.
However, the Baby Falcons’ championship pedigree will be tested like never before, as four key players who were instrumental in breaking a 31-year title drought have moved on to their collegiate careers.
The duo of Tebol Garcia and Vince Reyes have committed to National University under head coach Jeff Napa. Meanwhile, JC Bonzalida (San Beda University) and Gene Carillo (College of Saint Benilde) have taken their talents to the NCAA.
The Baby Falcons’ defense of their Season 87 title hit a significant bump with a 71-75 loss to fellow championship contender Far Eastern University-Diliman on opening day.
Still, armed with his Gilas Pilipinas Boys experience over the offseason, the emergence of Earl Medina has shown promise that he can step into the leadership role left by Garcia and Carillo.
During the Philippines’ campaign at the FIBA U-18 Asia Cup last September, Medina proved himself as a standout. He averaged 14.5 points on 44.2-percent shooting, along with 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists.
“Malaking tulong kasi iba yung level of play doon sa overseas. Yung experience namin na nakuha nila Mark at Kuya Allen ay nashe-share namin sa teammates namin,” the 6-foot-2 winger said after posting 17 points, six rebounds, five steals, two assists, and one block in Adamson’s 75-66 win over the University of the East last Thursday, according to Tiebreaker Times.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
While acknowledging that the Baby Falcons are still in search of a leader, Medina believes that with a collective effort from the seven graduating players, they can fill the void left by Garcia, Carillo, Reyes, and Bonzalida.
Among those the team has relied on for leadership are 6-foot-7 big man and Gilas Youth player Allen Perez and graduating forward Zahir Sajili.
“Kaming mga seniors, ginagawa lang namin yung best namin para matulungan yung mga bago sa amin. Sabi nga ni coach, medyo erratic pa, so role naming mga seniors na buuin yung team,” the 18-year-old from Sampaloc, Manila shared.
“We’re taking it one game at a time when it comes to finding out who’s stepping up to be the leader of the team. Hindi namin iniisip pa yung finals or Final Four, one game at a time muna. Hopefully, Final Four muna, then finals na.”
Baby Falcons head coach Mike Fermin echoed Medina’s sentiments, emphasizing that leadership will require a combined effort from all seven graduating players if they are to defend their title.
Adamson’s last consecutive championships came during a six-peat from Seasons 51 to 56 (1998 to 2004).
Fermin is hopeful that, as the season progresses, Medina and the rest of the Baby Falcons can step up as the “heart and soul” of the team, which will be crucial for their title defense.
“It’s a collective effort when it comes sa leadership role. Yung mga seniors namin – seven sila actually, sila yung nagse-step up sa kanila. Minsan naka-spread-out sila, kinakausap yung iba nilang teammates to lead them on,” Fermin shared.
“Nandoon naman sila pero yung talagang heart and soul ng team, slowly, they’re stepping into that. Hopefully, during the course of the tournament, makita natin ‘yan sa kanila.”
