UAAP Season 78 Preview: A little more fight in Adamson Falcons

Head coach: Mike Fermin
Last season: 1-13 (Last place)
Key losses: Jansen Rios, Don Trollano, Axel Inigo, Ryan Monteclaro, Matthew Aquino
Key returnees: Dawn Ochea, Ivan Villanueva, Jerome Garcia
Key additions: JD Tungcab, Nico Capote, Sarr Soulemane

After finishing at the bottom last year, expect more fight in the Adamson Falcons this UAAP season 78.

Under new head coach Mike Fermin, the once formidable Falcons aim to stay away from the cellar through a simple change in mentality.

“Before our mentality was that moment we step inside the court, we already think we’re going to lose. That’s wrong,” Fermin, a deputy of former Adamson head coach Kenneth Duremdes.

“Now, when we to step on the court, we will give ourselves a chance to win.”

Adamson, after a coaching shake-up which saw Duremdes replace long-time mentor Leo Austria, concluded season 77 with a lone win.

Fermin, who only officially took over the reins this summer after Duremdes’ ouster, is hoping to change that.

“Our modest goal is to win as many games as possible and improve from last year, especially on our defense,” he said.

The Falcons, though, banner a very young core centered on junior forward Dawn Ochea, who inherited the leadership responsibilities from pro-bound Don Trollano and Jansen Rios.

“As the veteran here and the role player, I just have to show them that I don’t slack off during practices. I also need to keep them motivated,” said Ochea.

Cameroonian reinforcement Sarr Soulemane, meanwhile, is tasked to hold undersized frontcourt together which was left with a big hole after the departure of Matthew Aquino.

“We’re not that tall. We have an import who’s tall but he’s still a rookie. We still need to hone his skills,” admitted Fermin.

While Fermin is confident Soulemane can match up with the likes of Karim Abdul, he’s not asking for too much from him at this point yet.

“He can fare well. He’s tall, well built, and not easily pushed around. But we’re just trying to establish him to contribute since this is his debut.”

Adding depth to the Falcons are new recruits Frederick Tungcab and Nico Capote.

With under-the-radar players running the squad, Fermin thinks it could work to the Falcons’ advantage.

“Yes (that makes us a dangerous team). We have no go to guy, you don’t know who to stop from us. Maybe these players will step up this game, then different players the next game. Maybe that’s our advantage. We can’t easily be scouted.”

While finishing in the top four or bringing home the title is a tall order for Adamson this year, don’t expect the Falcons to give up that easily.

“We will fight. Before, we would give up after two quarters. But not this year, I told them to play all 40 minutes so we can make the Adamson crowd happy. We won’t give up easily.”