Loss to UE part of Adamson’s growing pains

MANILA, Philippines – The Adamson Soaring Falcons are a young team that is getting used to new-found attention brought by the arrival of their high-profile head coach. With that spotlight comes expectations to perform well, but even Coach Franz Pumaren is aware that his new team will have to go through growing pains.

That was the case on Sunday, October 2, when Adamson lost the first Pumaren Bowl of Season 79 to the UE Red Warriors, who won their first game in the UAAP. The Falcons were ahead by double-digits in the third period and could have tied for second place in the standings with a win, but they’re now instead losers of two straight after going ice cold in the final period. 

“The down side lang here is they got [their] first win over us. I think we didn’t do what we were supposed to be doing. We didn’t execute our game plan. That’s it,” said Franz, who lost to a team coached by his elder brother, Derrick Pumaren.

“Sometimes that’s a trademark of being a young team. Like what I stressed to them during halftime, I told them what they’re supposed to be doing,” Franz said about the growing pains his team goes through.

The younger of the Pumaren coaches admits that he knew UE was “bound to get a win,” and is “a better team that their record right now.”

But the head coach also hopes that with more eyes focused on Adamson now compared to recent years, his boys won’t give in to the pressure.

“I don’t think right now my team [has been in] this kind of situation, meaning under the limelight. Under the microscope. We just have to overcome that,” said Franz.

“In the last how many years, people [didn’t] even talk about [Adamson]. Right now, with all the media attention that we’re getting, I just hope they’re not succumbing to pressure right now. It’s still early. I think losing is the best teacher, best lesson that we can get.”

The Falcons still have a chance to end the first round above .500 with a win against the UST Growling Tigers, who are also struggling after starting the season 2-4.

Pumaren is hopeful his team will learn from the defeats they’ve suffered so far as they contend for a Final Four spot in the second round.

“Like what I’ve been stressing to them, each game, let it be a learning experience for us. Whatever mistakes that we made or mental mistakes that were made the last couple of games, I think we should learn from those things.” – Rappler.com