Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Kevin Ferrer asked the coaching staff to take him out of the game late in the third quarter due to palpitation just as his University of Santo Tomas had come all the way back against league-leading Far Eastern U thanks in large part to his efforts on Saturday.
The Growling Tigers captain had to go back to the dugout but he didn’t want to miss his team complete the rally with a win.
“I palpitated due to the chocolates I ate before the game,” Ferrer said in Filipino after his 21 points and six rebounds helped the Tigers pin the Tamaraws only their second loss of the season. “It was my first time to eat chocolates before the game so my body wasn’t used to it.”
“I really wanted to return to the game. I don’t want to not be fighting for the team,” said the 23-year-old forward.
UST head coach Bong dela Cruz admitted that he had Ferrer in his mind while the Tigers were in the thick of the fight against the Tamaraws.
“These players are also like my sons. I thought of him during the game and I was hoping that nothing bad happened and I prayed for him to be healthy,” dela Cruz said after his team’s gutsy 85-76 win that secured the Tigers at least a playoff for the No.2 spot.
Ferrer returned at the 4:59 mark of the fourth quarter and though, he didn’t score in his return, his presence alone was a major boost for UST and its faithfuls.
“We can see the character of this team,” said dela Cruz. “We really prepared for this game. No one was complaining during practice despite of how hard our practices were.”