Adamson University’s Matty Erolon against University of the East in the 18th FilOil Preseason Cup. Photo from FilOil Preseason Cup Media Team.MANILA — Adamson University is expected to parade a young Soaring Falcons squad come UAAP Season 88.
Nash Racela’s squad will be competing sans the likes of Royce Mantua, Joshua Yerro, Eli Ramos, and John Calisay as the quartet already opted to make their San Marcelino exit.
And while AdU will still have the steady and reliable Ced Manzano to provide them heft and power, Racela is urging their other holdovers to take a step forward, especially on serving as the team’s leaders.
“That’s a challenge for them,” said the UAAP champion coach after the Soaring Falcons’ 71-67 overtime victory over University of the East in the 18th FilOil Preseason Cup on Monday.
Among those who are expected to carry the fort for the Falcons are Matty Erolon, AJ Fransman, and Matthew Montebon, and Racela said that they should be ready to move away from being the team’s young core and transition into higher roles.
“We could say that they are veterans because they are, kumbaga, mga mas matanda sa bata,” Racela said. “But ganyan talaga yan eh, you’ll be forced to play a responsibility na minsan, unexpected.”
“We lost a lot of our veterans in Yerro, Ramos, Calisay, and si Mantua. Ganyan ang college basketball, but I’m sure, somebody else will rise to the occasion. It may not be individually, but I’m hoping na collectively, mas marami sana sila na aabante,” he added.
Erolon is starting to live up to Racela’s call as the 6-foot guard fired 17 points with five three-pointers vs. the Red Warriors, and this was after he posted the same amount which was built on four triples in their previous game against Far Eastern University.
“We know what he could give us, he just needs to work on his consistency, but not just Matty, sa lahat yan ng players namin,” said Racela of Erolon who is averaging 17 markers, two boards, and a dime for AdU in FilOil.
“He’s getting there, and in love kasi. Inspired yan kaya ganyan, so sana, lahat ng players namin ganyan, para inspired,” quipped the former PBA head coach.
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