Adamson Soaring Falcons coach Nash Racela tells The GAME about their approach to life after Jerom Lastimosa’s graduation.
After five seasons, the Adamson Soaring Falcons will be entering the UAAP without Jerom Lastimosa following his graduation from the collegiate ranks. The King Falcon heads into the PBA after being drafted by the Magnolia Hotshots.
Now, it’s up to Adamson to navigate this transition heading into UAAP Season 87.
“We’re happy. The whole community is very happy with where he is right now in the pros. He deserves to be there [the PBA]. But like what I mentioned, we want to move forward naman from that era of Jerom,” Falcons head coach Nash Racela told The GAME during the UAAP Season 87 basketball press conference in Cubao.
It will be a tall task to replace a player of Lastimosa’s caliber. Until someone steps up, Racela knows it will take a village to fill the Jerom Lastimosa-sized gap. At the same time, Adamson also lost seniors such as Jed Colonia, and Joem Sabandal among others.
“Collectively, we’re hoping na magtulong-tulong ‘yung mga players. Not one specific player could do that. But if they help each other, each and everyone contributing positively sa cause ng team, then everything will be easier for us,” Racela explained.
“Mahirap kasi if you look at one guy or two guys [to fill Jerom’s spot]. But only time will tell. Baka mamaya may ibang taong ready to take that challenge. So, we just hope that there will be someone. Sana hindi lang isa, sana marami sila.
“We don’t just look at one guy leading the pack. It’s all of them leading each other. So, ‘yan ang aming preaching sa team. Everything that you could do, contribute positively. That’s part of your leadership. Sometimes you think it’s a small thing, but nakakatulong ‘yan sa team,”
But key holdovers like Cedrick Manzano and Monty Montebon remain. Manzano has steadily improved since debuting in Season 84, while Montebon showed clutch genes in Season 86. Longtime winger Joshua Yerro will also be playing his final year.
Racela hopes for these guys to step up, given their share of UAAP-level experience. Likewise, he expects them to continue raising the bar as Season 87 opens.
“Not just Monty, but the rest of the guys also. You talk about sila Cedrick Manzano, which he has done over the last three years. Improvement niya has been tremendous. So, again, going to this season, sana ganoon pa rin. Masustain niya at maitaas pa niya,” Racela said.
The Soaring Falcons have been on the doorstep of the Final Four under Racela. They finished fifth in his debut season, before breaking through in Season 85 after a fourth-spot playoff.
Adamson forced another playoff in Season 86 but fell to Tab Baldwin’s Ateneo. Simply put, the potential is there to be a Final Four-bound team.
“I think it will be the same. It has been the design for Adamson for the last couple of years because we all know how strong the teams in the UAAP are, especially this season. So, ganoon kami, lagi kakatok [sa Final Four],” explained Racela.
“We’ll do our best. We’ll try to win games, compete against the stronger teams, all the teams. Hopefully, mapagbuksan kami ng pinto.”
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.