22/01/2025
Season Opener Showdown: FEU-D Baby Tamaraws Outlasted Adamson Baby Falcons in an Epic Face-off!
The Adamson Baby Falcons failed to secure their very first game of the season against the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws with a final score of 71-75 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on January 19. Despite a strong effort and a late-game surge, the Baby Falcons couldn't overcome the Tamaraws' early lead, marking a challenging start to their journey.
The starters for the match included #9 Perez, #10 Sajili, #17 De Jesus, #21 Medina, and #30 Esperanza. Just 30 seconds into the match, the Baby Falcons faced an early setback with a turnover. However, redemption came swiftly when Perez shot their first point, bringing the score to 2-6. Medina then took charge, delivering two consecutive layups that narrowed the gap to 7-9. The momentum continued as Esperanza was fouled, earning two free throw opportunities that tied the game at 9-9. Throughout the first quarter, several traveling violations were called against the team, concluding the quarter with a score of 10-17.
Esperanza kicked off the second quarter with a point, quickly followed by two successful free throws, 14-17. Peรฑafiel then made his presence felt with his first three-pointer, a crucial shot that provided the team with a much-needed boost. Demonstrating his seniority, Medina swiftly reacted to a missed scoring opportunity, saving the ball and keeping the momentum alive, 21-27. As the quarter progressed, Esperanza scored again with a layup that Peรฑafiel answered with another three-pointer just a minute before halftime, ending the quarter with 26-31.
Coach Nash Racela was spotted watching the first game of the Falcons, โJust like yung mga message namin sa senior players when we start the season, just give your best and make sure to represent the school well because thatโs the main purpose of playing in the UAAP.โ
Abayon did not hesitate to step up for his team as he scored the first time. Esperanza, Peรฑafiel, and Medina continued to score for the team. Just as the Baby Falcons needed a spark, Matillano, who had just entered the game, delivered two consecutive shots that advanced his team into their very first lead against the Tamaraws. The quarter concluded with a score of 46-43, marking a significant turnaround for the Baby Falcons.
Umali opened the fourth quarter with determination, refusing to let his team falter. Medina scored with his signature three-pointer, a long-awaited moment that brought the score to 55-64. Not to be outdone, De Jesus followed with a three-pointer of his own, bringing the Baby Falcons even closer to their goal at 69-70. Despite their efforts, the match concluded with a final score of 71-75.
Henry Peรฑafiel, a rookie who just made his debut in the UAAP, shared his feelings about the game, โParang pangarap lang kasi ito dati tapos ngayon, nakalaro na ako sa UAAP. Sundin lang talaga yung sistema ng team and coaches and depensa lang talaga. Sabi nga ni coach, mapupunta lang din sa wala yung mga points kung hindi kami dedepensa nang maayos.โ In his debut, Peรฑafiel scored 12 points, contributing significantly to his team's performance against FEU.
Johnray Abayon reflected on his team's performance after their game, โFirst game namin, ayun nga, talo kami. Although masakit yung pagkatalo namin, gagawin namin tong motivation para maayos namin yung mga susunod pa naming mga laro. Sa effort din kasi nagkulang kami; yung sipag sa loob ng court. Aminado naman kami, lalo na ako, na hindi talaga maganda yung naging laro namin, but please, continue supporting us kasi iserve namin ito as stepping stone para maidefend namin yung title.โ
Coach Mike Fermin expressed his first game jitters, saying, โWeโre relieved kasi nag start na yung season and at the same time, kaunting disappointed kasi nga we lost. We relaxed too much kaya nagkulang kami sa efforts. We lost sa reboundings, assists, and committed a lot of turnovers, so doon kami nagkulang. Kagaya ng sinabi ko sa dugout kanina, we should learn from this loss. Ang mentality naman kasi, one game at a time so tapos na ito, hindi na kailangan mag contemplate pa o manghinayang kasi tapos na.โ
Adamson University (AdU):
Esperanza - 19, Medina - 14, Peรฑafiel - 12, Perez - 7, Umali - 7, Matillano - 4, De Jesus - 4, Sajili - 2, Abayon - 2
Far Eastern University Diliman (FEU-D):
Cabonilas - 25, Burgos - 19, Salangsang - 17, Pascual - 8, Raneses - 2, Castillejos - 2, De Guzman - 2
Quarter Scores (AdU-FEU):
10-17, 26-31, 46-43, 71-75
Caption by: Angel Nadonga
Photos by: Fiona Mahinay and Kaisha Puertollano