ADAMSON has long had arguably one of the best shooters in the college leagues in Jerrick Ahanmisi.
But this UAAP Season 82, another Falcon may just give the Fil-Nigerian a run for his money.
Valandre Chauca has burst into the scene for the San Marcelino-based side, averaging 15.0 points on a blazing 46-percent clip from deep, to go with his 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
The Fil-Peruvian guard has been so explosive that in just two games, he already carved his spot in coach Franz Pumaren's rotation despite having just a week of practice under his belt.
Never short in confidence, Chauca believes that the competition in practices can only bring the best out of the Soaring Falcons.
"The competition only makes all of us better. I'm trying to be in the running for that, too, because I think I'm the best shooter in the league," he said.
Chauca is playing his lone UAAP year this season after playing three years at UC Berkeley and a season with Enderun, where he led the Titans to their first finals appearance in NAASCU.
But he doesn't consider himself the complete product.
"I think I can improve in all facets. I think I can improve even more," he said. "If you wanna be the best in the world, and that's what I work at everyday, I wake up in the morning and I get shots up everyday."
He's also working on his leadership skills, with the 24-year-old guard tabbed to be one of the leaders for this young Adamson crew.
"It's nice to have a young team. They listen and it's nice to be a mentor to them," he said.
The Soaring Falcons' 84-83 overtime victory over NU on Saturday, clinched by Lenda Douanga's improbable trey, should give this squad a major boost in confidence.
"It feels great," Chauca shared. "I think we showed a lot of grit. We showed that we're not gonna quit no matter what the score is, no matter the situation. And even with how many rookies we have, we showed a lot of composure down the stretch. Slowly we're gonna get there, but that just comes with chemistry and time."
Chauca dared say that once Adamson gets on the same page, it won't be a surprise to him if the school reaches as far as the Finals, a level it hasn't been to in the Final Four era.
"I think once we get the chemistry and build that for the whole year, I think we'll be right in the running for the Finals," said the sweet-shooting guard.
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