Adamson keeps faith in holdovers, young guns after core players’ departure

Adamson Lady Falcons during a game in the Shakey’s Super League. SSL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Despite the departure of Adamson’s core, new coach JP Yude urges holdover Lucille Almonte and the young Lady Falcons to continue moving forward as they take the first step of their build-up in the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals.

Former Adamson men’s volleyball player and girls coach Yude had a winning coaching debut in the collegiate ranks after replacing Jerry Yee, who was removed from his post amid leading the team to a bronze in the UAAP Season 85, as the rebuilding Lady Falcons dominated the Jose Maria College Foundation Inc. Royals, 25-17, 25-11, 25-17, to kick off their Pool C campaign on a high note on Saturday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

With Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, Ckyle Tagsip, and Cae Lazo turning pro with the Yee-coached Farm Fresh in the Premier Volleyball League and setter Louie Romero and Rizza Cruz also bidding farewell, rookie Red Bascon ushered in a new era, leading the team’s collective effort with a game-high 11 points built on eight attacks and three blocks.

“Lagi ko sinasabi na kumbaga, wag na natin sila tignan, magfocus lang tayo kung sino natira. Ito yung pagtutuunan natin ng focus every time nasa training. You have skills, everything, may talent kayo, magagaling din naman kayo kaso lang hindi pa nalalabas kasi mas may nagagamit pa sa inyo dati. ,” said Yude shortly after the game. “Pinagfo-focusan ko talaga sa kanila ay yung self-confidence and yung trust nila sa sarili nila.”

(I always tell them to not look at those who are no longer with the team. Let’s focus on what we have. You have the skills, talent, and everything, it’s just that you haven’t unlocked your full potential because others got more playing time. I am focusing on building their self-confidence and self-trust.)

Besides the Adamson high school product Bascon, Rochelle Lalongisip and Sharya Nicole Ancheta also stepped up with nine points each, while Almonte only played in the first two sets and finished with seven points with Angelica Alcantara setting the plays.

Adamson coaching staff. SSL PHOTO

Almonte, one of the remaining starting six members from last season along with Lorene Toring and libero Karen Verdeflor, said it’s not that hard to lead her rebuilding team.

“Personally, hindi naman ganun kahirap kasi kung may nawala man may papalit, siguro better kaya hanggang ngayon winowork pa rin namin yung connections namin kasi hindi naman namin sila naging teammate, ngayon sila na makakasama namin,” said Almonte.

“May mga seniors din naman akong teammates na natira, andyan pa mga coaches so I know kahit papaano nakakatulong sila at isa sila sa pinagkukunan ko ng lakas para malift ang team,” she added.

(Personally, it’s not that hard because even some of our teammates left, we got new teammates, who could be better, to replace them. Until now we’re still working on our connection because this is the first time that we’re teaming up with some of them. There are also other seniors who stayed and our coaches are there to help us. They are the ones who give me the strength to lift the team.)

The team captain hopes the Lady Falcons will be able to build their chemistry in the national tournament and gauge how far their squad can go in the 12-team field, where they are also grouped with NCAA runner-up Lyceum with only the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout quarterfinals.

“We’re still working on our chemistry because we lost a couple of players. Our setter is new, most of our teammates are new, and we’re also adjusting to the new coaching staff and system. But Adamson will fight on,” said Almonte in Filipino.

“We’re just excited to play the teams outside Manila. It’s a good opportunity and experience for us.”

Yude said he is also working on his players’ connection with the help of his fellow former Adamson players-turned-assistant coaches Bang Pineda and Leo Miranda.

“We lost almost the starting six of last year’s team but we can work on it and we’re contented with the players that we have. It’s a big adjustment for everyone but so far, my players are doing well,” he said.

For the youthful coach, who steered the Adamson girls’ team to the Season 85 finals before settling for silver, he wants to share his collective learnings from playing in the UAAP and his previous coaching stints without any pressure.

“My experience from being a player to coach wasn’t easy. I want to share my collective learnings from my past experiences in coaching in high school, [an assistant for] Creamline, and now back in the women’s. All of the collective learnings and knowledge and wisdom given by the lord is what I’m teaching to my players,” Yude said.

“Sometimes there’s pressure but I want to coach them without pressure because once you let the pressure in, it can affect the players. I always enjoy what I’m doing to teach them well and step by step we reach our goals.”

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