Many were surprised with how the Adamson University Soaring Falcons had their way against the top-seeded DLSU Green Batters, Tuesday afternoon.
The Soaring Falcons, a team making their first Finals appearance since 2010, was on point all throughout the contest. Their fielding was precise, committing just three errors and recovering from them, while their hitting was overwhelming, connecting 13 times against La Salle ace Kiko Gesmundo and his staff.
Though surprising to some, it was an expected output for the Soaring Falcons, according to Adamson head coach Orlando Binarao.
“Actually, hindi talaga surprising to, pinaghandaan natin ito. Ang secret weapon lang talaga namin dito is practice lang ng practice hanggang matapos yung season,” shared Binarao, who steered Adamson to three championships late in the 2000s.
“Buti naman, nagbunga yung mga sinakripisyo namin.”
But the 14-4 rout would not have been made possible without the herculean outing of Adamson ace Jerome Yenson.
The 21-year-old, just as he had done all season long, did it on both ends for Adamson. On offense, Yenson went 3-of-4 at-bat while picking up three runs and three RBIs. Moreover, he took over the mound, surrendering just seven hits and fanning four batters in the six innings he pitched.
And Binarao could not help but be proud of his student.
“Actually siya yung lethal weapon ko.
“Sabi ko nga, kahit anong mangyari, siya yung gagamitin ko. Mabuti nag-click naman,” the Adamson legend remarked about his ace.
When told about this, the lanky national team pitcher could not help but blush. However, just like how he shrugged off chants of “MVP” all throughout the year, Yenson simply shrugged it off, laser-focused with the task at hand.
“Masarap po siyang pakinggan pero wala siya sa isip ko.
“Iniisip ko lang po na maglaro nang maayos para makuha po namin ang game at manalo,” said the native of Talavera, Nueva Ecija.
Yenson was just grateful to be given the freedom on the mound by his decorated mentor.
“Green light rin po kasi ako sa kanya eh. Ako po nag-dedecide kapag nasa may mound na po ako, binibigyan niya po ako ng right,” Yenson, who threw a variance of fastballs and curveballs in the game, furthered, paying tribute to Binarao.
Come Friday, the Soaring Falcons have a chance to win the school’s 12th baseball crown. After five years of service to Adamson, Yenson wants to end his stellar collegiate career right then and there.
“Panigurado, ganoon pa rin po gagawin namin. Wala po kaming babaguhin sa hitting namin, mas mag-dodouble time pa po kami sa training. Mahirap pa po kasi makahabol ang La Salle,” said the front-runner to win the Most Valuable Player plum this season.
“Hanggang sa maaari, sa Game Two, mas dagdagan pa po namin.”
