Ex-Adamson star Villanueva asks Lady Falcons to be patient | ABS-CBN
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Ex-Adamson star Villanueva asks Lady Falcons to be patient
Ex-Adamson star Villanueva asks Lady Falcons to be patient
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 28, 2017 04:35 PM PHT
MANILA, Philippines – The performances of the Adamson University Lady Falcons in the UAAP Season 79 tournament are a source of concern for their supporters, as they struggle to even just be competitive with the rest of the league.
MANILA, Philippines – The performances of the Adamson University Lady Falcons in the UAAP Season 79 tournament are a source of concern for their supporters, as they struggle to even just be competitive with the rest of the league.
So far, Adamson has managed to win only two sets in Season 79, and they have lost 19 straight matches since the start of the second round of the Season 78 tournament.
So far, Adamson has managed to win only two sets in Season 79, and they have lost 19 straight matches since the start of the second round of the Season 78 tournament.
Veteran Jema Galanza is the lone Lady Falcon to perform consistently at both ends of the floor, and try as she might, she cannot carry the rest of her young and inconsistent teammates.
Veteran Jema Galanza is the lone Lady Falcon to perform consistently at both ends of the floor, and try as she might, she cannot carry the rest of her young and inconsistent teammates.
Their sluggish, uninspired, and error-prone plays have also frustrated their coaching staff, led by Airess Padda, who has at times wondered why their energy in practice does not carry over into actual UAAP games.
Their sluggish, uninspired, and error-prone plays have also frustrated their coaching staff, led by Airess Padda, who has at times wondered why their energy in practice does not carry over into actual UAAP games.
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For former Lady Falcon Amanda Villanueva, Adamson's problems in Season 79 are understandable. The team, after all, is in the midst of a rebuilding phase after losing several of their stars from previous seasons – including Villanueva herself.
For former Lady Falcon Amanda Villanueva, Adamson's problems in Season 79 are understandable. The team, after all, is in the midst of a rebuilding phase after losing several of their stars from previous seasons – including Villanueva herself.
"I've been seeing them struggle this season and last season also, and the management told me that it's rebuilding stage for them," Villanueva told ABS-CBN News.
"I've been seeing them struggle this season and last season also, and the management told me that it's rebuilding stage for them," Villanueva told ABS-CBN News.
Adamson last made the Final 4 in Season 76, losing to eventual champions Ateneo de Manila University in the first phase of the stepladder semifinals.
Adamson last made the Final 4 in Season 76, losing to eventual champions Ateneo de Manila University in the first phase of the stepladder semifinals.
They were still in contention in Season 77 – Villanueva's last – but in Season 78, the Lady Falcons fell apart in the second round after a promising start.
They were still in contention in Season 77 – Villanueva's last – but in Season 78, the Lady Falcons fell apart in the second round after a promising start.
The overhaul started soon after. Former skipper Mylene Paat opted not to return to the team, and Padda was brought in as head coach.
The overhaul started soon after. Former skipper Mylene Paat opted not to return to the team, and Padda was brought in as head coach.
"I trust the management's plan for the team," said Villanueva, who won a beach volleyball championship together with former Queen Falcon Shiela Pineda in Season 76.
"I trust the management's plan for the team," said Villanueva, who won a beach volleyball championship together with former Queen Falcon Shiela Pineda in Season 76.
Villanueva noted that it is difficult for the Lady Falcons to field in new players in Season 79 due to the K-12 system, and thus are using mostly freshmen and sophomores who are still very inexperienced.
Villanueva noted that it is difficult for the Lady Falcons to field in new players in Season 79 due to the K-12 system, and thus are using mostly freshmen and sophomores who are still very inexperienced.
"All of them are in their second year or first year or first year, and Jema is the only senior," said Villanueva. "So she can't handle it all by herself. She needs help. But it's a rebuilding stage."
"All of them are in their second year or first year or first year, and Jema is the only senior," said Villanueva. "So she can't handle it all by herself. She needs help. But it's a rebuilding stage."
"Good things take time," she stressed.
"Good things take time," she stressed.
Villanueva said she has tried to encourage the young Lady Falcons. "Sinasabi ko na lang sa kanila always na, if you work hard now, it's going to pay off in the end," she said.
Villanueva said she has tried to encourage the young Lady Falcons. "Sinasabi ko na lang sa kanila always na, if you work hard now, it's going to pay off in the end," she said.
"It might not be now, but in the future, it will," she added.
"It might not be now, but in the future, it will," she added.
That pay off may happen sooner than later. Villanueva predicts that Adamson will be "really strong next year," when key transferees and recruits come in. May Roque, who had a breakout year in Season 78 before suffering an injury, is also expected to make her return.
That pay off may happen sooner than later. Villanueva predicts that Adamson will be "really strong next year," when key transferees and recruits come in. May Roque, who had a breakout year in Season 78 before suffering an injury, is also expected to make her return.
In the meantime, Villanueva preaches patience.
In the meantime, Villanueva preaches patience.
"It's not easy for them, or for the coach, but it's a process," she said.
"It's not easy for them, or for the coach, but it's a process," she said.
(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)
(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)
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