FILE – Adamson Falcons. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
One of the last players to make Adamson’s UAAP Season 79 roster, Jonathan Espeleta is showing why he deserves his place as part of the Soaring Falcons.
The 6-foot-1 forward proved his worth Sunday, drilling huge baskets in the clutch as Adamson pulled off a 61-59 stunner over Far Eastern University.
“Basically, he showed us that he deserves to play and being a young kid, he’s beginning to assume the responsibility of taking over,” said Adamson coach Franz Pumaren.
Espeleta poured six of his eight points in the fourth period, to go along with five rebounds and two assists to help the Falcons improve their standing at 6-5.
“I just credit my teammates. They found me at the right spot at the right time and I just had to convert,” he said.
The 20-year-old is also elated that his team is finally showing the grit Pumaren wants from them at this stage of the tournament.
“We played as a team and we really picked it up in the second half to win the game.”
Espeleta hopes Adamson’s good showing won’t stop here, especially with a tough three-game grind to end the eliminations.
“In the preseason, I had a hard time adjusting to his system. I was doing my own thing until he really told me, you’re really gonna get cut, you’re going to sit another year if you don’t follow. That’s when it really clicked. I just had to give in and just followed what he says,” he said.
“Hard work pays off. I’ll just follow what my coach says and he’ll take us to places.”