A season ago, Jerome Yenson was the revelation for the Adamson University Soaring Falcons. The then-fourth year pitcher steered helped steer the proud program to almost finish with bronze while bagging the Best Pitcher and Most Home Runs crown.
Despite bringing home individual awards, he felt empty. He vowed that in his final year, he will be joined by his teammates during the awarding ceremony.
“Mas nagkaroon ako ng confidence, nagkaroon ako ng tiwala sa mga teammates ko, at binibigay nila ito sa akin,” the 21-year-old reflected.
“Mas lumakas ang loob ko dahil sa kanila.”
His work started earlier than usual as he, together with teammates Steven Manaig and Erwin Bosito, represented the country for the Asian Baseball Championship.
“Napakaimportante ng leadership niya.
“Ang sabi ko kay Yenson last year, siya ang magdadala,” shared Adamson head coach Orlando Binarao.
All throughout the season, Yenson played above the rest. His coming out party was last February 11. The lanky pitcher played like an MVP, steering Adamson to a 7-3 win over defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Adamson would finish the elimination round with a 7-3 record — two of their losses coming at the hands of the top-seeded DLSU Green Batters.
And come the Finals, he played like there was no tomorrow.
In Game 1, 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 as Adamson drew first blood, 14-3.
He then followed it up with a highlight reel-finish to close out his UAAP career, allowing just one run in the final six innings of Adamson’s championship-clinching win last Friday.
Finally, the two-time Best Pitcher got to celebrate with his teammates.
“Mahirap po. Sobra. Halos isang taon kami nag-tratraining. At least maganda ang naging exit ko,” the UAAP Season 80 Baseball Finals Most Valuable Player expressed.
“May naging bunga ang mga pinaghirapan namin.”
After fulfilling his promise to Adamson, he plans to focus on a higher calling — to be part of Philippine baseball’s future.
“Tuloy pa rin po ako sa national team, sa paglalaro ng baseball.”
