Falcons vow to swoop down on Blue Eagles

MANILA, Philippines - For the first time in more than a decade, Adamson’s seniors basketball team can aptly lay claim to the adjective that accompanies its monicker - the SOARING Falcons.

Parading a veteran-filled lineup that did well in the summer leagues, the AdU Soaring Falcons took flight and finished third at the end of the 14-game eliminations with 9-5, earning their first Final Four appearance since a 6-6 mark sent them into the semis of a La Salle-less season in 2006.

Those nine wins, interestingly, were the best the San Marcelino-based cagers could log since Kenneth Duremdes and company posted 11-3 in 1993, second only to University of Santo Tomas’ title-clinching 14-0 that year.

“The players are well motivated and excited because this is the first time for all of them to play in the Final Four and this is a rare opportunity for Adamson (to vie for the title),” said AdU coach Leo Austria.

“We know the expectations from the Adamson community are high but we treat it as a challenge,” he added.

The Falcons, tops in the league in steals (7.6 per game) and turnover points (19), will also have the revenge factor at play in their F4 matchup with No. 2 Ateneo.

“We’re 0-27 against Ateneo (dating back to 1997) and this will be our chance to break that longstanding spell,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria, whose wards were swept by the Eagles in their two elims meetings this season.

Despite the overwhelming head-to-head record, Austria feels the Falcons spearheaded by Alex Nuyles (12.4 ppg, 1.2 apg), Eric Camson (9.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg), and Lester Alvarez (9.5 ppg, 2.1 apg, 1.6 spg) can rise to the challenge now.

“This team can beat anybody in the league. Our only problem is consistency and endgame poise. Fortunately, we’re able to get that back in our last game (a 69-64 win over DLSU for the No. 3 slot) and the players have regained their confidence and got the momentum entering the Final Four,” Austria said.