Rivals wary of surging Falcons

It’s been quite a while since the Adamson Falcons were considered one of the teams to beat in the UAAP.

Coach Luigi Trillo, of course, isn’t complaining.

"They’re probably saying that because we did well in the tournaments we joined last summer. They know what we did last summer," said Trillo of his fellow coaches after his Falcons landed in the Final Four forecasts for the 67th UAAP basketball season.

After finishing a strong fifth last year, the Falcons are fielding practically the same lineup this year with a couple more rookies, promising ones, expected to make their presence felt.

But Trillo, who joined the team in 1998, said it’s Adamson’s steady performances during the off-season that may have caught the attention of the other teams.

Adamson won the University Games title over Far Eastern University last December, then finished second in the next three tournaments it joined: the MICABA against Letran, the Metropolitan Basketball League against Spring Cooking Oil, and, just recently, the Fr. Martin Cup against La Salle.

Although he was thrilled winning the University Games title, which is Adamson’s first since emerging champion in the Palarong Pambansa more than a decade ago, Trillo tried to downplay the achievements.

"It’s because most of the teams we went up against had their key players playing elsewhere like in the PBL. In short, they were not complete. It’s going to be different in the UAAP and my players know this," said Trillo.

"Realistically, we have a better chance now in the UAAP. But I told my players that we should stay humble and just focus on what we’re doing. At least we know that we worked hard last summer and it’s a good experience," he added.

Under Trillo, Adamson wound up eighth and last for four straight years, climbed a notch higher to seventh in 2002 before landing fifth last year, just falling short of making it to the Final Four.

Adamson’s best finish in the UAAP was second in 1992 and 1993.

The veterans suiting up for Adamson this year are Mark Abadia, Patrick Tongco, Ruel Hugnatan, Kenneth Bono, Patrick Cabahug, Marvin Poloyapoy and Ramil Tagupa. The rookies are William Johnston, Jomar Canuday, Arthur Cummings and Marc Austin.

Aside from Adamson, tipped to do well this year are, as expected, defending champion Far Eastern University and sentimental favorites Ateneo, last year’s losing finalist, and La Salle.

The 2004 season fires off next Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum where Adamson squares off with University of the Philippines, not as strong but just as dangerous as the others.

After a hot summer, winning their opening game this year, Trillo said, would be the next best thing for his Falcons.