Adamson Wins A Close One

Adamson wins a close one

Adamson 72 vs. UP 68

by rick olivares

Leo Austria knows a thing or two about nail biters. His team, the Adamson Falcons have lost quite a few of them (see those three losses to Ateneo in 2006 and UST in their 2009 season opener).

He lost his high-flying forward Alex Nuyles to injury a quarter earlier after the Bicoleño gave the Falcons a badly needed shot of adrenaline with a big time stuff where he attacked the baseline, suspended himself for a second or two up in the stratosphere before flushing down a one-handed jam on the Maroons. He followed it up with a coast-to-coast drive. Adamson was down by three at 45-42.

On the next play, with the momentum clearly on Austria’s squad, they lost Nuyles to a dislocated shoulder following a collision at halfcourt with UP’s point guard Mikee Reyes. But his team would stay within striking distance of the Maroons.

Under two minutes to play, Woody Co gave UP a one-point lead via two free throws after a foul by Adamson rookie Eric Camson 68-67. The Falcons missed two freebies of their own on their next possession.

The next two UP possessions were shocking and glaring for their poor execution. Adamson had gone to a three-guard line-up of Jerick Cañada, Lester Alvarez, and Canuday while Jan Colina and Camson were the only bigs.

UP had Carlo Gomez, Martin Reyes, Arvin Braganza, Alvin Padilla, and Carlo Gomez in. Surprisingly, they had not brought back Magi Sison who was 6-10 shooting from the floor and was giving the Falcons problems.

With time running down on the shot clock and their options severely limited, Braganza drove the middle of the lane. Cañada slapped the ball away and passed off to a streaking Alvarez who was fouled but the veteran guard missed both free throws.

On UP’s next possession, they still went for the outside shot. But their faith was almost rewarded but Martin Reyes’ trey rimmed out and Camson collected the rebound. Running the break, Cañada lobbed a pass to Canuday who was waiting underneath the basket. 69-68 Adamson.

The game clock showed 16.4 seconds left when UP still took their time in bringing down the ball, Cañada promptly stripped Braganza of the ball a second time and was fouled. He made one of two free throws off Padilla’s last final foul. 70-68 Adamson. With 5 seconds left, Camson stole the ball and hit a shot at the buzzer 72-68 to give Adamson its first victory of Season 72.

Austria’s jaw dropped then he sucked in air. His young Falcons team had won a close game something they had been unable to do in previous years. He flashed a wide grin and shook hands with the UP team.

The Maroons in the meantime, dark horse contenders, were left groping for answers. Their first two matches – against NU and Adamson – were clearly winnable but despite their height advantage, they were 0-2 owing to a blow out a cliffhanger for a loss.

Adamson’s locker room was jubilant but tempered just right with a classroom atmosphere. They listened to Austria’s post-match talk where he noted that had they played their final two minutes right against UST, they too could be up there at 2-0 and not 1-1. “But we should count our blessings. And always, think positive, walang aayaw.” The team repeated the phrase several times in raucous unison. “We don’t have practice tomorrow,” followed through the coach. “So attend kayo ng Mass at kung ano yung mga homework gawin na. May team dinner kayo pero kaming mga coaches ay magtra-trabaho pa.”

He then had a fatherly talk with Canuday who led the closing team prayer about his end game heroics and his shot selection. The fifth-year player had been struggling with his shot. Austria told him to make sure that his first shot always be a good one and once it goes in it will give him the confidence to make his next ones. Canuday nodded and slapped low fives with his coach.

The coaches exited for the court.

Leo Austria knows a thing or two about nail biters. He’s lost his share and now he’s won one too. Along with assistant coach Jing Ruiz, they set out to study the Far Eastern University team, their next opponent, that was up against De La Salle in the main game. They counted their blessings but as always, the hard work doesn’t stop.

“Think positive. Walang aayaw,” the chants continued inside the locker room.