Lady Falcons set to soar under new coach

Adamson Lady Falcons. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Adamson is tapping an American coach in Airess Padda in a bid to turn its fortunes around in the women’s volleyball tournament of the 79th UAAP Season starting early next year.

A former coach of Malibu High School in California, Padda will be spearheading an all-women coaching staff, made up of former UAAP standouts, for the Lady Falcons.

Padda started coaching at Hacienda Heights Volleyball club in 2008 before calling the shots for the junior varsity team of Sierra Canyon which she led to a state title in 2013.

Adamson athletic director Fr. Aldrin Suan expressed optimism that the new coaching staff will help the Lady Falcons improve from a seventh place finish last season.

Cherry Macatangay and Michele Gumabao will return as part of the coaching staff which will also include former University of Santo Tomas star Angeli Tabaquero.

Macatangay played for Adamson in college before suiting up for the national team, which nailed a silver in the 1995 Southeast Asian Games, while Gumabao made her mark with La Salle, winning the Finals MVP four years ago.

“We hope that the team-up of head coach Airess with Cherry, Michele and Angeli will mold the Lady Falcons into a strong unit, and hopefully clinch the title,” said Lady Falcons team manager Russell Balbacal, who is also Akari Lighting sports director.
“With their individual success in the UAAP and professional leagues, we are confident that their winning ways and attitude will rub off on our young team.”