Adamson University head coach Nash Racela in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball press conference. UAAP Media.MANILA — Once again facing adversity, Adamson University is determined to tune out unnecessary noise as it looks to defy the odds and make a return to the Final Four in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.
Now without main man Cedrick Manzano, the Soaring Falcons will lean on the likes of Mattew Montebon, Matty Erolon, AJ Fransman, and Ray Allen Torres after winning just six of their 14 games last season, which left them in seventh place and out of the postseason.
Another factor that could affect Adamson’s campaign this year is the expiring contract of head coach Nash Racela, which, under its current terms, is set to end in December.
But for the 2015 UAAP champion mentor, the situation should not be a concern as the San Marcelino-based cagers pursue their goal this season.
“The only thing clear is I’m not hearing anything about it, my contract,” said Racela. “But we don’t want this season to be defined kung ano man yung meron kami dito sa Adamson.”
With Racela at the helm, the Soaring Falcons have reached the Final Four twice in the last five seasons, losing to eventual champion Ateneo de Manila University in 2022 and runner-up De La Salle University in 2024 in the semis stage.
Adamson also came close in the three seasons it missed the Final Four, winning six games in 2022 and 2025, and seven in 2023, when it only lost to Ateneo in the playoff for fourth place.
For Racela, this is a testament to how they have remained competitive despite not having a comparable war chest to that of the UAAP’s powerhouse squads.
“We’ve shown that regardless of the resources that we have, we have been consistently competing,” said Racela. “That’s what should define the program na meron kami.”
“But whatever happens after this year is really beyond my control. If they don’t want our services anymore, then something will open up, for sure,” he added.
Adamson also gained confidence from its offseason campaign, highlighted by a comeback victory over defending UAAP champion La Salle.
In the semifinals of the Roxas City Invitational Tournament on August 25, Adamson crawled back from 13 points down in the final period to stun the Green Archers in overtime, 82-75, and secure a spot in the Finals.
But while the win came against a La Salle side led by Jacob Cortez, Luis Pablo, Andrei Dungo, and Mason Amos, Racela said it should only push the Soaring Falcons to raise their level for the UAAP season.
“It should help us in terms of the confidence na meron kami. But it should also remind us to really prepare harder,” said Racela, whose squad also competed in tournaments in Bayugan and Loreto, Agusan del Sur.
“It really helped us prepare. Mabigat yung laban na haharapin namin, La Salle is a very talented team, and pare-parehas silang ang daming talent na available. So at least, meron kaming chance,” added Racela.
With their confidence boosted and their veterans ready to take charge, Adamson will also need its younger players to step up and carry the lessons of the offseason into the UAAP.
Among them is the 6-foot-9 Jireh Tumaneng, who is eyed to help fill the void left by Manzano, with Racela acknowledging that he will be crucial to their cause this year.
“It’s hard to replace Cedrick Manzano. Hindi masyado nakikita ng tao yan, yung effect ni Ced, but it’s really a challenge for the younger players that we have,” said Racela. “It’s kinda unfair for them, na sasabak na sila nang hindi pa masyadong hinog, but I want to see this as an opportunity, na sana maka-pag perform sila.”
Aside from Tumaneng, Nigerian center Jonah Precious and rookies Mac Jedonia and Jarl Artango are also expected to step up.
And with the UAAP season bringing another field of talented contenders, Racela knows the Falcons will have to maximize what they have and keep their attention on the task at hand amid the noise surrounding the program.
“They have more talented players, but it doesn't take away from us,” he said. “Ang importante lang, our players are doing their part. As long as you do your part, laging may tsansa.”
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