Falcons get a dose of California Fil-Am sunshine

MANILA, Philippines – Things are looking bright for the Adamson Falcons as they get a dose of some California sunshine with their young and exciting batch of Fil-Americans.

The Falcons, despite finishing 3-11 in UAAP Season 78, were obviously a young and talented but woefully inexperienced squad. However, with champion tactician Franz Pumaren in the fold, you know that the Falcons have acquired more than coaching chops. They’ve attracted some pretty exciting talent – this time from the West Coast of the United States.

Gone are Joseph Nalos, William Polican, Jerome Garcia, Alwin Margallo, Gerald Fernandez Ivan Villanueva and Nico Capote. The remnants from last year’s team are Khristian Bernardo, Jose Carlo Escalambre, Cristian Garcia, Harold Ng, Dawn Ochea, Papi Saar, Simon Camacho, Ken Miranda and JD Tungcab.

The newcomers include Fil-Ams Jerrick Ahanmisi, Charles Jordan Cadua, Jonathan Espeleta, Bruce Edwards, Robbie Manalang, Sean Maganti, Terrence Mustre and Nikko Paranada, and former Baby Falcons point guard Frederick Pasturan. Mustre previously suited up for La Salle two seasons ago but transferred to the San Marcelino campus last season where he served out his residency.

Ahanmisi is the younger brother of Rain or Shine guard Maverick Ahanmisi and can play the two and three spots.

Five-foot-four CJ Cadua is a point guard out of Sweetwater High School in California. However, the small man made a reputation for playing bigger than his actual height.

Another Californian is Bruce Edwards, a 6’4 forward out of La Jolla Country Day High School in La Jolla. Robbie Manalang is a 5’7” guard from Villa Park High School in Orange County. Sean Maganti is from Chaparral High School in Temecula that has graduated a number of American professional athletes including the Boston Red Sox’s Allen Thomas Craig, the Milwaukee Brewers’ Shane Peterson, former Cincinnati Bengal Tyler Hansen, Baltimore Ravens’ Talmadge Jackson III, and US Cycling Olympian Sarah Hammer. And lastly, Nikko Paranada is a 5’11” point guard from Foothills Christian High School in San Diego.

The sole Fil-Am not from California is Jonathan Espeleta, is a 6’1” shooting guard from Westlake High School in Waldorf, Maryland.

With the new additions, there seems to be a logjam at the one and two spots. Expect some players to be cut come UAAP time.

The new look Adamson Falcons squad will make its Filoil Flying V Premier Cup debut this Saturday, April 30, when they play La Salle at 2pm at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.