Reeling Adamson can still make Final 4, says Nash Racela

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson coach Nash Racela believes reaching the Final Four is “still doable” for the skidding Falcons, who are currently in sixth place in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

“It’s still doable. It’s the beauty of this season, that despite the very unstable performances namin, going to the last four games, our chances is still within our control,” said Racela after a 70-59 loss to University of the Philippines on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

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“If they really want to advance, we need to start winning and it needs to start Wednesday. It’s not going to be easy but what’s important is that we do our part,” he added.

READ: UAAP: UP claims Final Four berth, beats Adamson

Adamson absorbed its fifth consecutive loss to share similar 3-7 slates with Ateneo and Far Eastern University. The three teams, however, are just one and a half games behind fourth-running University of Santo Tomas.

Racela remains positive about his team’s Final Four chances and urges the Falcons to work harder.

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“I have lots of belief in this team. Actually going to this game. I was declaring a Miracle Sunday, but it did not happen. We only do our part and only good things can happen but today, I guess we didn’t do enough. Maybe we just have to do a little more,” he said.

“I told them when (JD) Cagulangan hit the three-pointer, the game was very close and we’re still up, they could always say I had my hand up in front of him, but that’s not enough. We need to contest and that’s the little extra. Those things, it’s not us anymore. It’s you (the players).”

For the second time this season, the Falcons pushed the Fighting Maroons to their limits only to lose steam in the second half.

READ: UAAP: La Salle first to Final Four, whips Adamson

“It’s nice to be able to compete against UP and give ourselves a chance in the end, but we just have to do that little extra. That little extra is the difference maker, so I hope we do that. That’s the difference between winning and losing,” Racela said.

“That’s what we talked about after the game. You can tell me that coach we came close against UP and we just lost by a couple of points, but this is the time for us to do a little extra. It’s not enough anymore that you just hang around. That’s what we need, yung a little bit of extra and that will make the difference.”

It doesn’t get much easier for Adamson as it tries to end its slump against No. 3 University of the East on Wednesday at the same venue in Pasay City.