ACE playmaker Jerom Lastimosa has yet to suit up for Adamson University in the 86th UAAP basketball tournament due to a knee injury.
The scary part? In his absence, the Soaring Falcons are proving their worth.
“I always say they don’t really have a choice but to step forward,” Adamson coach Nash Racela said. “There’s a window for them, an opportunity to take. Iyon lang naman iyong ginagawa nila.
“Sa end namin, we’re just trying to help them develop and help the team get a bigger chance of winning,” he added.
Racela spoke after the Falcons turned back the University of the East Red Warriors 72-65 two nights back.
The win enabled the San Marcelino-based five to rise to 3-2 in a tie with La Salle for third even with the graduating Lastimosa in injury bay.
Drawing big games from the likes of Cedrick Manzano, Joem Sabandal, Joshua Yerro, Matt Erolon, and Matthew Montebon, Adamson’s victories early in the cage wars also included a 79-76 decision over winless University of Santo Tomas last Oct. 4.
Vince Magbuhos boomed in a three-pointer that turned out to be the game-winner in the Falcons’ stunning 74-71 OT escape over reigning champion Ateneo 10 days back.
Racela is convinced those hard-earned wins will only make Adamson better.
“It helps a lot because number one, itong mga players namin they lack games,” Racela said. “Number two, the experience in games will help them mature faster all the more in a close game.
“Maganda kasi I think it develops grit. We welcome mga games na ganito.”
The Falcons see their fourth triumph when they face the Far Eastern University Tamaraws tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Racela said the 5-foot-10 Lastimosa, a Gilas Pilipinas member, will likely begin practice with the team this week.
“I think by this week he’ll join us probably in practice,” he said. “That’s the calendar that he has. We’ll see.”
That’s quite bad news for the rest of the field.
