Adamson coach Franz Pumaren on UP win: That's their destiny

The Adamson Soaring Falcons were a possession away from making the UAAP finals for the first time 26 years, but for their coach, it looks like God has a different plan for the San Marcelino-based squad.

"It's not the result that we wanted but it's not the end of the road for us," Adamson coach Franz Pumaren said.

Despite the loss, the game remained a testament for the program he formed since 2015.

"In today's game, it showed the maturity. The senior guys took over actually. Probably, they (UP) really wanted it more. They played with a lot of passion but I guess this one game, probably one of the best games I've seen," the multi-titled mentor said.

"We were just one possession away from making it to the finals. Probably that's their destiny. God has other plans for us, God has other plans for me," he added.

Despite missing the finals for the third year in a row, Pumaren considers the past three semifinals appearances as a big achievement for the Falcons.

"Look at our team, we don't have big players, blue chip rookies. We tried developing, making the best out of our recruits," Pumaren said.

"You can say that I am a non-conformist guy. I don't get paid just to be in the final four so it's partly a frustrating year for me, expecting we'll be in the finals," narrated Pumaren.

"Basketball never stops. This is just a big hole, a hump along the way. It will make the team better, stronger individually."

Pumaren considers the heartbreak for the Falcons as part of the learning process.

"It's like being a successful CEO or president. Walang course diyan e. May course [man] pero [parang] guide. You have to learn to do those things. Ano lang 'yan, you just have to dig deep inside you."

And what's next for the Falcons?

"This is now a destination for aspiring players. If you want to be noticed, be put in the map, the right place to go is with us," said Pumaren. —JST, GMA News