MANILA, Philippines–Eric Camson found himself at the right place on the hard court with 2.2 seconds left, with their last chance on toppling down the title favorites FEU on the line.
Camson tipped the ball in and in that instant, the Falcons ended the Tamaraws’ unbeaten run.
And ended a string of heartbreaking finishes.
“When I took over the coaching job, erasing that stigma was one thing I really set my focus on,” said Adamson Head CoachLeo Austria, who has been the main Adamson strategist since 2005.
Adamson was once bereft of composure to close out on tight ball games, with heart-wrenchingly poor end-game execution and lack of sustained winning form usually spelling the big difference in its harrowing loses.
But the Falcons came out soaring high this season 73, suffering only two setbacks in eight games thus far: One to Ateneo and the other to FEU. Now they have avenged one of those losses, in a manner that thrust the Falcons into the limelight.
“It’s a big win for us because for some people, Adamson is just a low level team,” said the 21-year-old Alex Nuyles who was also instrumental in their come-from-behind 64-63 victory over the once-unbeaten Tamaraws Thursday.
But unlike Camson’s lucky break in that win, the entire Falcons squad knows that their so far sturdy and promising campaign isn’t just built on chance. It is built on trust.
“Everyone’s believing in my system,” said Austria.
Austria has shown immense faith in his players like Camson, Nuyles, Janus Lozada, Jan Colina and Lester Alvarez throughout the season, despite dealing with immaturity with a young squad like his.
“Coach (Leo) always reminds me to assume the role of leader especially in the end game,” shared Alvarez, the spry fourth-year guard who still has a playing year left.
Austria’s trust was unmistakable. With 6.8 ticks remaining and the Tamaraws defense in full alert, Austria devised a brilliant play that needed Alvarez’s toughness as a ploy in the back court, which paved way for Nuyles to scoot for a lay up en route to Camson’s emotional winning tip.
“I never lose trust in my team mates,” Alvarez continued, whose team had previously forged a 70-68 nipping of La Salle to end the first round, where he delivered a crucial dish to Nuyles for an under goal stab with just 38 seconds left.
These victories served notice for the Falcons to the other teams in the league vying for the same achievement.
“Contender” was the first word that came to FEU head coach Glen Capacio’s mind after their first defeat in eight games at the hands of the Falcons.
“They’re a very balanced team” he added.
Standing tall at solo second and with the second phase of eliminations underway, Adamson still has a long road to traverse to get to their ultimate goal of finally bringing home an elusive title.
But a clear path to the Final Four is now in Austria’s line of sight.