FOR many rookies fresh out of high school, finding their role in a team is a long, gradual process.
Most would take time before getting their groove on, and then there are few college-ready players, like Earl Medina.
The former pillar of the Season 86 champion Adamson Baby Falcons wasted no time getting into the thick of things, as he already plays a major role in coach Nash Racela’s rotation for the school's senior side in the Playtime Cares Filoil Preseason Cup.
Medina is slowly replicating his production from the juniors division, putting up 11.3 points so far for the Falcons.
“Syempre masayang masaya. Sa unang pagpasok ko ng seniors [nawelcome] talaga ako ng mga coaches at ng mga kuya ko,” Medina said.
“Binigyan talaga nila ako ng kumpiyansa at binabalik ko lang yung tiwala na binigay nila sa akin.”
Despite his production, his transition was far from easy as he admits to struggling particularly when it comes to the physicality of the game in the seniors division.
“Yung sa concepts ng play and defense, same lang naman. Yung nahirapan ako lang ako sa physicality tapos yung mental,” he shared.
Falcon Cauldron
Aside from the trust that he gets from Racela, his teammates also made his transition easier for him.
According to the 3-and-D specialist, he continues to grow closer to his teammates in their arduous build-up to the season.
“Lahat naman kami close na, hindi lang si Kuya Ced, simula noong nag-Bayugan kami,” he said.
And of all the Soaring Falcons, he vibed the most with the team's central piece, Mathew Montebon.
“Si Monty lang lagi close ko,” Medina said. “Araw-araw nag-e-extra kami as much as possible”
And that’s critical, considering that it’s gonna be him and Montebon carrying the perimeter offense for the Falcons next season.
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