Adamson head coach Nash Racela and late game hero Joshua Yerro break down the game-winning play that lifted the Soaring Falcons past the NU Bulldogs.
Up 58-56, the Adamson Soaring Falcons were three seconds away from winning a grind-out game — until Jolo Manansala tied the game for the NU Bulldogs with time winding down. Initially, it seemed like Manansala had beaten the buzzer, and Season 87 would get its first overtime contest.
But after an official review, the game clock was reset to 0.3 seconds left in regulation, which turned out to be just enough for a well-executed alley-oop to win the game.
And the Soaring Falcons did just that as Adamson’s Jhon Calisay threw a perfect inbounds pass to veteran wing Joshua Yerro, who tipped in the basketball to secure the victory.
Just like that, it was game over. Overtime averted, and Adamson improved its Season 87 record to three wins and two losses after five games played.
Reflection of trust
Understandably, viewers may attribute the play to head coach Nash Racela, a brilliant coach himself in the Philippine collegiate basketball scene. Yet the seasoned mentor was quick to name the coach behind the play: his longtime deputy Gilbert Lao.
“It was Coach Gilbert [Lao] that drew that play. That’s the dynamics of our coaching staff. That’s the responsibility of Coach Gilbert,” Racela said post-game. “When we were actually playing defense, we were hoping that if ever they make a basket, we still have time. He was already preparing himself for that [for a last second play].”
“Okay, so other teams, if you need a playmaker, Coach Gilbert is available ah? Nakakailan na siyang [game-winning play],” Racela said in jest.
The players themselves were confident in Adamson’s chances, provided there would be just enough time to get a shot off. So even if Manansala came up clutch, the Falcons knew their coaches can draw up a perfect play for a last (milli)second shot.
Before they knew it, the trust had already paid off, as said by the clutch Yerro himself.
“Of course masaya kasi pumasok, thank God din kasi dahil sakanya, ayun pumasok. And before pa lang nag-time out, sabi ni coach Gilbert na stay focused lang kami kasi baka mag-extra five minutes, pero sabi ko kay Calisay, wala nang five minutes ‘to, tiwala ka lang papasok ‘to,” said Yerro, one of Adamson’s veterans for the season.
“Nagtiwala lang ako sa sarili ko kasi ‘yun ‘yung binigay ni coach Gilbert na play eh. So ginampanan ko ‘yun na akin talaga ‘yon.”
And as they trusted Lao, the deputy himself placed his trust in Yerro to finish the game-winning play.
“I think it was very clear, ‘yung instruction ni Coach Gilbert given to Calisay. Even if you don’t see him there, just throw the ball, take your chances. And he did, so buti na lang biglang sumulpot itong si Wawa,” Racela said.
‘This game really helps us’
Until the fourth quarter, NU seemed ready to snap its two-game losing streak, even mounting an 11-point lead over Adamson heading into halftime. As seen with the cardiac ending, the Bulldogs were also quick to rebound as the Falcons started to pull away in the final period.
Racela tipped his hat off to Jeff Napa and his wards. After all, a 1-4 record fails to capture the fighting spirit NU has shown even with an all-Filipino lineup for Season 87. Moving forward, this is something he hopes for his Falcons to emulate.
“This game definitely helps us. Actually, even before the game, I told the players that NU is one of those teams that just play hard regardless…Sabi nga namin, NU and Ateneo, those two teams are ideal teams that we should always watch kasi they play consistently regardless if they’re down, if they’re up parehong pareho laro nila, which is something that we are trying to learn,” Racela admitted.
At the same time, he also emphasized the importance of the team believing in themselves throughout the season. Outside comments, at this point, are just white noise as Adamson hopes to enter the Final Four for Season 87.
“The important thing is, my question to them always is, naniniwala ba kayo? Because that’s the most important thing. Whatever other people might think, the important thing is us, within our circle, is really believing that it’s doable. Hopefully, slowly, we as a group, sana we are starting to believe that we could achieve good things, nice things this season,” Racela said.
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.