NOT everyone’s given a second chance.
But Adamson was just given a new lease on life.
With University of the East ending the eliminations by failing to reach the seven-win plateau, the window remained open for the resolute Soaring Falcons to swoop in and keep themselves in the running.
And for coach Nash Racela, that’s all that matters.
“Ang importante, nasa amin yung control,” he said.
Things looked bleak for Adamson after losing to University of Santo Tomas, 75-49, last Saturday, knowing that one more Red Warriors win will eliminate it from the race.
But after UE faltered anew and lost to the University of the Philippines, 75-67, the Soaring Falcons find themselves with a beating heart anew heading to their final assignment against Ateneo on Saturday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Racela understands that it’s put up or shut up time for him and his wards who all approached the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament with the mentality of just competing.
“Sabi nga namin nung simula, we just want to stay close. Malay natin, makaswerte tayo and we give ourselves a shot. Now that we have that shot, the desire has to be there, so the effort should also be there,” he said, with the San Marcelino side precariously holding on to their 5-8 card.
A win for Racela and Co. would force a fourth place playoff against the boys of coach Jack Santiago, with Adamson and UE ending their campaigns with identical slates.
READ: UE rooting for Ateneo vs Adamson with UAAP semis spot on the line
Truth be told, however, the Soaring Falcons have long overachieved despite the gloomy preseason predictions pundits placed on its head.
That’s why Racela wants his boys to play loose stating, “Hindi na dapat namin iniisip yung mga bagay na we don’t have control over.”
“We’re given an opportunity to still compete for a slot sa Final Four, so we just have to take advantage of this. At this moment, tatlong team na yung na-out and we don’t want to be the fourth. So the message to the team is wag lang nating sayangin yung chance.”
Ateneo sets sights on fine finish
Ateneo, at 4-9, is one of those eliminated teams and is raring to play spoiler in their 5:30 p.m. game, just like how it earned its first win of the season at Adamson’s expense in the first round, a 60-51 win last Sept. 21.
But inside the San Juan venue, the Soaring Falcons have the Blue Eagles’ number.
Mathew Montebon sank the buzzer-beating triple, as Adamson completed a 27-point fightback to take the slim 61-60 escape in last year’s Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, before Cedrick Manzano did his own version of a game-winner for a 61-59 victory which was the Soaring Falcons’ first win in this year’s preseason tilt.
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