UAAP: Self confidence pays off for Adamson hero Joshua Yerro

Adamson Falcons celebrate their win over NU Bulldogs on Joshua Yerro’s last second tip in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The moment was Adamson’s Joshua Yerro for the taking. All he needed was trust in himself.

On Wednesday, Adamson squeaked past National University, 60-58, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament courtesy of a game-winning tip by no less than Yerro.

With 0.3 seconds to go in the game—virtually an insufficient time to put up a shot—the ball went Adamson’s way with a chance to win with the score tied at 58 all.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball

So Yerro didn’t take a shot. Instead, he took a calculated jump to tip the ball in just in time when the clock officially reached zero.

“Even before the timeout, coach Gilbert (Lao) told us to stay ready because we might have five extra minutes [in overtime]. However, I told (John) Calisay, this game won’t have five more minutes,” said Yerro in Filipino.

YERRO-H MY GOODNESS.

Adamson’s Joshua Yerro just put in the game-winning tip to give the Soaring Falcons (3-2) the win over NU (1-4), 58-60. #UAAPSeason87 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/iWr7BnFrv6

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) September 25, 2024

“Magtiwala ka lang. Papasok ‘to (Just believe me. This shot will go in).”

Just as Yerro predicted, the ball kissed the rim for a few moments until it went all the way down, much to the delight of the Soaring Falcons, who improved to a 3-2 record.

READ: UAAP: Joshua Yerro buzzer-beater lifts Adamson past NU

Buzzer-beating shot aside, Yerro contributed in almost all facets of the game with 11 points, five rebounds and three steals to power Adamson back to the win column after absorbing a loss at the hands of Ateneo on Saturday.

His all-around performance was just a testament to how much Yerro wants to be a role model for Adamson, which is now at solo fourth in the team standings behind University of Santo Tomas (3-1).

“I just trusted myself because it’s the play given to me so I just did my role.”

“As a senior in my team, I’m one of the guys who’s left so I guide the newbies and they listen to  me. I also listen to them. We’re just almost equals there.”