Out of basketball, CVIRAA MVP Joshua Yerro dreams big for his family
At a young age, he was no stranger to hard work.
He sold fish in the market when he was only 11 years old. Then for three years he worked as a butcher at a slaughterhouse in their place where he eventually learned how to roast pigs.
He did not mind accepting these menial jobs just to help his parents make both ends meet. His father is a security guard, while his mother is a plain housewife back in his hometown in Barangay Tambulilid, Ormoc City.
Fortunately, he possesses an athletic gift. And endowed with this God-given talent, rising hardcourt star Joshua Cabilin Yerro dreams big for his family out of playing basketball.
Yerro started shooting hoops at seven years old. He would later on turn heads when he helped steer Linao National High School to three consecutive championships in the Ormoc City School Sports Organization (OCSSO). He eventually formed part of the Ormoc squad that snared the basketball crown of the EasternVisayasAthletic Association(EVRAA)Meetin2015.
Yerro's skills did not go unnoticed in the radar of eagledeyed scout Van Halen Parmis, who then recruited him to the elite varsity program of the University of the Visayas.
"When we watched him play during a workout session, we did not hesitate to get him. He moves with grace, he was just awesome," said Parmis, a highly esteemed league organizer who is currently assistant coach of the reigning CESAFI champions UV Green Lancers.
Armed with discipline, dedication and determination above anything else, the 17-year-oldYerro readily made an impact among the vital cogs of the UV Baby Lancers.
"I am very diligent when it comes to practice. I always listen and follow the instructions of my coach. I also worked doubly hard on the things I have to improve on," said Yerro. "Among the many things I've learned on the hardcourt, the most important one is respect. Respect not only to your teammates, but also to your opponents. That's the way basketball should be."
After several bridesmaid finishes in local tournaments, Yerro finally savored the sweet taste of success when the UV Baby Lancers-manned Central Visayas team clinched the secondary boys basketball title of the CVIRAA Meet just last week in Naga City. The triumph was made extra special after he was honored as the Most Valuable Player.
"I'msohappytowinmyfirstMVP award most especially that I achieved it here in Cebu where basketball competition is tough," said Yerro, the second in a brood of four. "I really did not expect it because there are a lot of good players in our team who always show up."
Standing at six feet tall with a wingspan of nearly seven feet, Yerro holds a lot of promise. Nicknamedasthe"WakwakofOrmoc"forhishighleaping ability, he is ready to rise above any challenge that lies ahead of him as he makes use of his basketball skills to help his family get out of poverty.
"That is really my ultimate goal, to give my family a better life out of playing basketball," said Yerro. "And I am very thankful to UV for giving me this opportunity of a lifetime. I will try my best to always live up to the expectations of my teammates, my coaches and my school. All the good things that come my way inspired me more to strive harder in reaching all my dreams."