Alvarez & Nuyles: Adamson’s duo won’t allow 2010 repeat

“FEU na naman nga eh," says Alex Nuyles, smiling but still shaking his head in disappointment. It’s the morning after – the morning after their loss to the Tamaraws in the Final Four. Last year, Adamson failed to make it past FEU to enter the Finals. The yellow shirts would eventually be swept by defending champion Ateneo. “Marami kaming mali," admits court general Lester Alvarez. “Tsaka siguro kasi iniisip namin twice to beat kami. Nasobrahan sa kumpyansa," he adds. The hours following a big loss are usually nightmares for the players. That’s not the case with Adamson. Coach Leo Austria gave them pointers, repeatedly and calmly, after the game and met them the next morning for practice. While everybody in the team felt the urgency of winning, two particular guys had most of the weight on their shoulders – Nuyles and Alvarez. The making of a winning tandem The Falcons’ daring duo are both veterans in the league – Nuyles is on his fourth year, while Alvarez is on his fifth and final one. “Parang kailan lang," he shares. Hailing from Letran, Alvarez was a late addition to the Falcons in 2007. He spent two weeks in Team B and then immediately got elevated to Team A. His baptism into collegiate basketball was indeed made through fire – his first game ever was in the UAAP right away. Nuyles, on the other hand, came from way farther. He was playing in an inter-barangay tournament in Bicol when a priest discovered him and referred him to Coach Austria. He had to spend two years in Team B before he finally suited up for the major league. Beating the unbeatable

While others said Ateneo would sweep the elimination round, Adamson’s two trusted players believed otherwise. “Nung practice the day before, talagang determined kami na talunin yung Ateneo. Nakita namin [nung first round] na kaya talaga namin sila," says Alvarez. True enough, after a close call in the first round, Adamson finally upset the Blue Eagles – winning for the first time since 1997. And they did so in convincing fashion. They routed Ateneo, 62-46, and ultimately stripped them of a clean slate going into the Finals. “Sa off-season, lagi naming natatalo yung Ateneo. Pero bale wala naman yon kasi yung UAAP talaga ang importante," adds Alvarez. Nuyles carried his team with 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a block. But even with his monster stats, the Bicolano says that the team’s success is hinged on everybody else’s performance. “Di ko iniisip na go-to guy ako kasi may mas magagaling pa sa’kin sa team eh. Andyan si Lester, si [Janus] Lozada," he says. “For the fans and pep squad na laging andito para sa’min yung panalong yon sa Ateneo. Simula nung 14-0 pa kami, andyan na sila," he adds. Don’t want a 2010 repeat A loss is bad enough. But if it’s a loss that everybody honestly expected to be win, then you’re in for a long night. The Araneta Coliseum was filled with Adamson fans all dressed in white, severely outnumbering and out-cheering the FEU contingent. However, they were in for a disappointment as the Falcons fell to the Tamaraws yet again, 59-49, thus forcing a do-or-die for the second Finals slot. “Hindi kami naging aggressive eh, lalo na sa defense. Coach reminded us na Final Four na ‘to. Di na pwede yung mga mali namin nung elimination, yun pa rin ang mali ngayon," says Alvarez. To add insult to injury, Nuyles sprained his left ankle and limped off the court in the endgame. He only had light practice the following day as he is still letting the sprain heal completely. Asked if he’ll play on Sunday, he says, “Kakayanin. Ito na yun eh. Baka ito na yung last game." “Positive pa rin kami na kami ang maglalaro sa Finals. Kahit sa practice, nakikita naming kaya yang FEU," he continues. Target: Battle of the birds Adamson’s duo knows that they need to make adjustments against FEU in order to face Ateneo in the Finals. First of which is making their defense more aggressive especially on RR Garcia, Terrence Romeo and Cris Tolomia. “Yung first 10 nila [FEU], pang-first five na sa ibang teams eh," says Nuyles. He adds though that they have an advantage in the wings as they have much bigger manpower. Still, most of the expectations fall on Alvarez and Nuyles. “Alvarez provides leadership in the floor. Nuyles provides energy and offensive production. The experience of the two will be crucial when they face FEU. Pressure will surely be on Adamson as second seed," says sports analyst Mico Halili. Alvarez says that he’s not really pressured come game time. He just has to do whatever he’s been doing in practice every single day. “Sabi sa’kin ni coach, kailangan maging leader ako sa loob. Pag nagkakagulo, i-direct ko lang yung teammates ko," says Alvarez. The 22-year-old playmaker, who is celebrating his birthday on Sunday, hopes that the Falcons can make a Finals appearance before he graduates. “Ang birthday wish ko lang sana maganda laro naming lahat. Kahit di ako maka-score, basta manalo kami," he says. And the mantra they wish to bring if ever they make it into the elusive Finals? “Tapusin na agad kung pwede nang tapusin," ends Alvarez. -- OMG, GMA News