Nash Racela hopes more games help Adamson get better amid skid

FILE – Adamson coach Nash Racela. UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Adamson head coach Nash Racela and the Falcons are flying to Davao next weekend to try and improve from their lackluster performances in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.

After losing three of its last four games, Racela said they need more games to check their flaws and try to get better.

“We’ve been streaky, but it’s on a losing streak. We got an invitation to Davao to play a short pocket tournament, we’ll be there to gain experience and play more games to get better,” Racela said after their 67-57 loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College on Thursday.

Unlike in today’s game, where sniper Jerom Lastimosa and versatile big Cedrick Manzano did not play due to rotation experiments, the team will be competing in full force.

Full force also means the team will have their 6-foot-10 import from Congo, Lenda Douanga, back in their arsenal after attending to personal matters back in his country.

“Our expectation is for him to get some positive motivation, we hope that he gets in the right condition physically and mentally,” the head tactician said.

Douanga looks to avenge himself for Adamson after scoring just six points in their eliminating loss against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Final Four of UAAP Season 84.

Despite having games scheduled for next week, the Falcons will not pull out of the preseason as they play the red-hot University of the Philippines on Sunday to end their elimination round. They currently hold a 3-3 record.

For Racela, the team’s status heading forward will depend on his boys and how they respond after a string of losses.

“I hope they respond positively. The goal here is to get better so hopefully the mistakes they committed, they can fix.”