With four promising rookies, a grizzled veteran and a youthful coach who never quits, things are looking good for the Adamson Falcons this year.
"We have a stronger team now – not as experienced though but it has more talent," said coach Luigi Trillo when The STAR sought his outlook for the 66th UAAP season which fires off next month.
Trillo, now on his fourth year with Adamson, thinks he’d seen the worst of times as a UAAP coach and, this early, is keenly looking forward to a very memorable one.
A former La Salle Green Archer, Trillo went winless in his first two seasons as coach, but put all of them behind last year with stunning victories over UP, FEU and NU in the first round alone.
The Falcons could have gone even better and farther, but lost to UE in double overtime, UST in overtime, and UP by two points in the second round for an overall record of 3-11.
This off-season also provided some sort of momentum for the Falcons as they finished third in the University Games and second in the MICABA. For the first time, they also reached the semis of the Fr. Martin Cup.
"Those first three years were a learning experience for us. Now I’m more excited as a coach. I’m not as experienced as the others but I’ll give it my best and take it from there," he added.
Trillo is pinning his hopes this year on Rommel Tagupa, a senior who takes over the shoes of former skipper Romy Mangulabnan who graduated last year along with Melvin Mamaclay and Christian Ferrer.
"We lost a lot in terms of experience, but now we’re taller and the talent is there," added Trillo.
Then, there are rookies like Mark Kong, Kenneth Bono, Roel Hugnatan and Patrick Cabahug to watch out for.
Kong is a 6’6" transferee from Letran while Bono is an 18-year-old, 6’5" whose father is half-German. Hugnatan is the younger brother of PBA player Reynel while Cabahug is a shooter from Cebu, a relative of former PBA hotshot Elmer Cabahug.
"I’m just happy that players like these are giving me a chance to coach them this year," added Trillo, who picked UE and FEU as the favorites this year with defending champion Ateneo and La Salle lurking around the corner.
And his own goals this year?
"Well, if you’re gonna dream you might as well dream big. We’re looking at the Final Four. It’s a realistic goal for us. As I’ve said before, hope springs eternal. We just have to work hard from day to day," said Trillo.