OF course, Nash Racela would’ve wanted to ring his 53rd birthday on a high.
But there’s really nothing more he could wish for after seeing how much Adamson has defied expectations and reached the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Final Four.
“Overall, happy,” he said after his side was eliminated after a 70-55 loss to defending champion La Salle on Saturday. “I cannot say I’m not happy with how we competed this season.”
READ: UAAP, NCAA share finals game day at Big Dome
Indeed, the Soaring Falcons could hold their head high after their run this year where they fought tooth and nail to reach six wins and even needing a fourth place playoff just to prove that they’re one of the four best teams in the league.
Cedrick Manzano’s tireless efforts down low provides stability, Mathew Montebon’s scoring outbursts are also a positive, and it also helps that the team, from veterans Joshua Yerro and Jhon Calisay to role players like Royce Mantua, AJ Fransman, Matty Erolon, and Manu Anabo have all had their moments of brilliance here and there this season.
What makes this so-called star-less team special is how they get things done by just sheer will on defense: a testament to the program and system that Racela has brought in San Marcelino.
“That’s what this season told us, na we’re doing the right things for the program and I hope the others see that para mas tumibay ang aming recruitment and programa,” he said.
But there’s also a world of difference between competing and actually winning: one that Racela is looking forward to finetune for Adamson in the future.
“Sabi nga ni Fr. Danny [Pilario], our president, it’s a process. We want to move forward and achieve greater things later on. It starts with this, the first step which making it here. Entering the Final Four is already an achievement for us because nobody expected us. I’m sure the whole Adamson community is happy that we made it to the Final Four,” he said.
“But my personal feeling is parang entering the Final Four is the highlight for us, then all of a sudden bumaba yung energy namin. That should be a learning for everyone that yes, we want to be in the Final Four but dapat tuloy ang laban. You got to take the next step and I just hope we learn.”
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