Adamson Soaring Falcons’ problems are mental, says coach

Jane Bracher

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Adamson Soaring Falcons’ problems are mental, says coach

Josh Albelda

The Falcons slump back to old ways, losing their second round match against the Maroons after beating them just a week before

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson Soaring Falcons coach Mike Fermin remains puzzled by his team’s seemingly unending slump in the men’s basketball tournament of UAAP Season 78.

The Falcons are currently 1-7 at the onset of the second round, losing to the UP Fighting Maroons barely a week after copping their first win of the season

Fermin told his young team to be honest and speak up if they believe he is not doing a good job as coach. But when his team bared he was not at fault, Fermin was left to believe the problem is largely mental.

“It’s really mental. That’s also the comment of our sports director. I told them straight: inform the admin, inform the officials if you think the problem is me. I’m man enough to face it,” he told a small group of sports reporters in Filipino after the 89-84 defeat Saturday, October 10.  

“If I’m the problem, tell me. If not, then please do something about it. So we have a fighting chance. And not just fight for a few minutes and then after that we grow contented. That cannot be.” 

Fermin says the team was silent inside the locker room as he delivered that speech. And they acknowledged there needs to be a change in mindset. 

Fermin quoted import Pape Sarr as saying: “Coach, it’s not you. It’s us. With respect to you coach, you did what you have to do. We don’t know what the problem is but it’s us.” 

While Nico Capote further emphasized in Filipino, according to Fermin, “Coach there’s no problem with you. We have a problem with ourselves.” 

“So it’s beyond my control. I don’t know what’s happening after 3 to 4 hours of practice,” Fermin concluded. 

“I told them if it’s a mental or psychological problem, you can talk among yourselves. See what you can do to resolve that.” 

‘Our limit is not one win only. Keep reminding yourself that we can win more than one.’

– Coach Mike Fermin to the Falcons

 

Sarr topscored for Adamson with 18 points and 17 rebounds. He had only one field goal but was constantly aggressive, earning him 22 free throw attempts (16 of which he converted). Jerome Garcia and Alvin Margallo added 12 and 11 points, respectively. 

Though they clobbered the Maroons on the boards, 57-31 and 24-11 on the offensive glass, the Falcons threw the ball away 33 times and gave up 28 points off turnovers. They also shot a miserable 32% all game long. 

Fermin rued his team losing the hustle points and 50-50 balls, as well as the perpetual consistency problem where they show flashes of brilliance every few minutes or so during a game instead of sustaining the energy for 40 minutes. 

Adamson’s energy was subpar for the first 35 minutes until they surged in the last 5 to overturn a 15-point deficit in a late attempt to steal the win. But it came too late. 

As with many issues of the mind, the solution may be to talk it out in a comforting environment. 

“Actually right now the plan of Fr. Aldrin (Suan), the sports director, is to counsel the players. There will be counseling to find out what the problem is,” Fermin shared. 

“If you noticed the missing piece is Dawn Ochea,” he added of forward who had just two points and 6 rebounds against UP. 

“I asked him what the problem was and he said, ’nothing coach. I just want to win so much that I’m pressured.’ I asked him who pressured him and he said nobody. So what’s the problem? That’s why I think it’s really a mental problem.” 

The Falcons will next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, October 17 where they will show what a full week of introspection can do.

“I told them to instill in your mind that we’re not just for one game only. Our limit is not one win only,” Fermin said. “Keep reminding yourself that we can win more than one.” — Rappler.com

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