Host Adamson aims for better finish this year
'We're middle of the pack'
From a guard-oriented scheme, Adamson is now bent on exploiting its solid frontline, which is what coach Leo Austria considers the team’s biggest advantage in the UAAP Season 76 men’s cage wars that unfurls on June 29.
With versatile combo guard Alex Nuyles having graduated, the Falcons no longer have a genuine backcourt threat but still remain a dangerous force with the presence of Cameroon reinforcement Ingrid Sewa and vastly-improving forward Rodney Brondial.
A 6-foot-7, 260-pound center, Sewa has completed his two-year residency and is expected to make an instant impact while the 6-foot-4 Brondial, now entering his fourth year, has continued to improve his skills on both ends in pre-season tourneys.
If Sewa and Brondial play true to their form, making it to the Final Four after missing the trip last season is “achievable,” according to Austria.
“We have to take advantage of Sewa’s size and strength. Solid rin naman kasi ‘yung frontline namin. Kung maglalaro sina Sewa at Brondial ng maayos, I think achievable ‘yung Final Four,” the former pro league Rookie of the Year awardee said in a recent phone interview.
While he was armed with a talent-laden crew in San Miguel Beermen’s title romp in the Asean Basketball League, Austria admitted he has to make the most out of “an average roster” with the Falcons, who are eager to bounce back from a sixth-placed finish last season.
“‘Yung San Miguel (team), kumpleto talaga sa materyales. Itong Adamson, pang middle of the pack lang, or average,” he confessed.
But that doesn’t mean Austria is shying away from the daunting challenge. “Whether malakas o mahina ‘yung team, kailangan mong ibigay ang lahat ng magagawa mo. Every time, I’m seeking improvements for my team. Although it’s hard to promise that we can win the title, I’m still expecting a better performance from my team this year.”
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And being this season’s hosts somehow gives Austria and Co. an added enthusiasm.
“Kahit hindi naman host, gusto natin na maging memorable ang every season. What more if you’re the host school? But it (hosting) won’t give us any advantage. Medyo nakaka-excite lang kasi people will be expecting more from you,” he said.
Aside from Sewa, the Falcons are set to parade four more rookies in Matthew M. Bernabe, Irvin Mendoza, Alejandrino Iñigo III and Henric Dawn Ochea.
Yet, Austria looks for wingmen Jericho Cruz, a junior, and fifth-year shooter Roider Cabrera to play big roles, especially offensively, in helping ease the load on Sewa and Brondial since “our bench is shallow.”
Believing his charges are “80 percent ready, conditioning-wise,” Austria admitted they will clearly have their hands full in their opening match against University of the Philippines on June 30 at the MOA Arena.
“Sa totoo lang, ‘yung unang game ang pinakamahirap maipanalo. Lahat kasi ng players gigil maglaro. That’s why I have to make sure my players will come prepared, mentally and physically,” he said.
