Hungry Falcons say their time has come

MANILA, Philippines - The Adamson Falcons are soaring mightily in search of the biggest trophy – the UAAP title next season – but how far their massive wings will bring them will be put to stress test in the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Cup kicking off Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Coach Leo Austria said the Falcons, who made last year’s Final Four of the UAAP and the Filoil Flying V tourney, are going for the ultimate prize this season.

The Falcons are back in the 2011 Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Premier Cup, bringing with them a talented and seasoned roster which could take them closer to their goal.

 ‘’Our team really wants to win a title this year especially the UAAP. It’s been a long we had a title and we hope to make this happen this year,” said Austria.

The Falcons have retained their nucleus composed of savvy veterans Alex Nuyles, Lester Alvarez, Jeric Canada, Eric Camson, Jan Colina, Janus Lozada and Roider Cabrera.

Also adding firepower are the vastly-improved Austin Manyara, Will Stinnett and Ronnie Brondial.

 ‘’Most of our core players are on their final year, so we really need to go for the goal this year and win a championship. We have the players to do it. We fell short the past two years so we hope we get it this time.”

A league apart but only a few kilometers away from the San Marcelino-based Falcons, the Arellano University Chiefs have modest goals for this year.

Only on their third year in the NCAA, the Chiefs have shown in the past that they aren’t pushovers, and they are expected to show this never-say-die attitude in the three-month tournament presented by Pioneer Mighty Bond Extreme and Elastoseal, and major sponsors Filoil and Flying V, Molten, Total Phils., TMS Ship Agencies, Inc., Cobra Energy Drink, Alveo and Bayo.

 ‘’As a team, no pressure and expectations but of course we want to continue improving, competing and hopefully contend,” said Arellano U coach Leo Isaac.

The Chiefs will again rely on the prolific threesome of Adrian Celada, Ike Ciriacruz and Gerald Lapuz and shock troopers John Tayongtong and Rocky Acidre.

Tickets are available at SM Tickets (tel. no. 470-2222).