UST forward Kevin Ferrer. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Kevin Ferrer came out all pumped up after a woeful shooting stint four days ago that doomed University of Santo Tomas in its first crack at a UAAP Final Four berth.
“It turned into a motivation,” said Ferrer. “I looked at my mistakes.”
Atoning for his paltry 1-of-11 shooting in a losing game against Ateneo, Ferrer delivered a career-high 29 points on top of 14 rebounds to power the Tigers past University of the Philippines, 83-76, Sunday in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
“We reached the Final Four but we still have a goal—we need to get [either one of] the 1-2 spots,” said Ferrer as the Tigers rose to 9-2 to join idle Far Eastern University in the semifinals.
Ateneo earlier blasted defending champion National University, 68-59, as Kiefer Ravena also came up with an incredible show he started by firing six straight triples to open the game.
“I was surprised everything was going in,” said Ravena, who scored all of Ateneo’s first 21 points on the way to a game-high 32. “I didn’t know what was happening. I just wanted to be in the zone.”
Ravena’s explosive start came despite a sprained left ankle, which he sustained in the Eagles’ 80-74 victory over the Tigers last Wednesday.
“He was taking those shots because his ankle was really hurting,” said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol.
The win kept the Eagles in solo third a 7-4.
The scores:
First Game
ATENEO 68—Ravena 32, Pessumal 20, Ikeh 4, Tolentino A. 3, Tolentino V. 3, Wong 3, Black 2, Nieto 1, Babilonia 0, Cani 0, Capacio 0, Gotladera 0, Go 0.
NU 59—Alolino 17, Aroga 10, Javillonar 8, Celda 7, Diputado 7, Neypes 4, Alejandro 3, Javelona 3, Rangel 0, Tansingco 0, Yu 0.
Quarters: 24-16, 38-35, 52-47, 68-59
Second Game
UST 83—Ferrer 29, Vigil 16, Daquioag 15, Abdul 10, Lao 7, Subido 3, Lee 3, Bonleon 0, Sheriff 0.
UP 76—Manuel 21, Amar 12, Dario 11, Desiderio 10, Asilum 5, Jaboneta 5, Moralde 4,Vito 4, Gallarza 2, Kone 2, Harris 0, Juruena 0, Longa 0.
Quarters: 15-11, 38-35, 61-51, 83-76