Despite another loss, Duremdes pleased with Falcons’ recovery

MANILA, Philippines – Although it was still a  blowout loss to La Salle, Adamson coach Kenneth Duremdes was quite pleased with how his young Falcons "bounced back" from their lowly 25-point performance in the previous game.

"It's a good game, malaking binago (from the last one)," Duremdes said after their 57-73 loss to the Archers Saturday.

Determined to make amends after the embarrassing 25-62 setback to National U, the Falcons engaged the Green Archers in a close encounter in the first 20 minutes of play before the defending champions turned it around in the third.

"I don't know what happened doon sa NU game. Parang after the good game against UST where we lost by one point and nearly won, we thought yun na yun, maganda na ang natutunan nila," said Duremdes.

"After the bad game against NU, nakabalik na sila so we're happy naka-adapt sila, na-realize nila uli na dapat hindi tayo tumitigil dahil dito, hindi tayo bibigyan ng panalo. Hindi ka pwedeng kahit malaki na ang lamang, hahayaan mong ibaon ka nang ibaon ng kalaban," he added.

The Falcons trailed the Archers by just five points at the half, holding down the fancied team to 21.88 percent clip while shooting 31.03 percent on their offensive end.

"Iyun nga lang, first half lang din; second half, nagbigay kami ng 44 points – 22 sa third, 22 sa fourth. Still, binibigyan ko pa rin sila ng positive comments. Sinasabi ko na defense is not really our problem, it's mainly our offense, especially kung makikita natin na na-shoot ng kalaban yung tira, nagkakaroon ng dunks, ng three points, nawawala na sila sa sistema, sa disiplina.”

"Sabi ko, sa basketball, talagang may mga runs, may mga rallies, pag nangyari yun, wag lang tayo lumayo sa mga ginagawa natin. Nangyari nga yun versus La Salle. Konti pa. Karamihan dito mga bata, yung pag-adapt sa seniors basketball eh medyo nahihirapan pa sila," he said.

The Falcons will play University of the Philippines on Saturday as the winless cellar dwellers part ways.