Kevin Ferrer on fire. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Down 0-1 in a best-of-three series and nine points at halftime of Game 2, University of Santo Tomas needed something extraordinary to extend its season to a knockout match for the crown.
That’s exactly what Kevin Ferrer provided.
“We all said we’ll just be positive, that we’ll just enjoy the game,” said Ferrer, after dumping 24 points on Far Eastern U in the third quarter of a come-from-behind 62-56 victory by the Tigers yesterday at Smart Araneta Coliseum that squared the UAAP men’s basketball finals.
“I felt that I was hot. I got my confidence from my teammates,” added the wiry 6-foot-4 senior. “I’m just thankful that they gave me that trust.”
Ferrer finished with 29 points in front of a boisterous crowd of 22,000, giving UST a little momentum to offset the huge talent edge FEU is expected to bring in Game 3.
The Tigers, in the first half, looked like they were going to be mere footnotes to the FEU domination this season. Instead, they get one last stab at an improbable title when they try to complete a series comeback in the knockout match on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“I just said let’s enjoy the moment, let’s be happy,” said UST coach Bong dela Cruz.
If UST does turn the series around, the team can definitely point to Ferrer’s magical third quarter—where he pumped in five straight triples in one stretch—as the trigger to the Tigers’ incredible title run.
“For me Kevin is the MVP, no one else,” said Dela Cruz. “He leads this team, he leads this family.”
Even the season MVP himself, Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena, believes so, sharing the plum with the UST star.
“He also deserves it,” Ravena said of Ferrer, whom he edged by just a couple of points for the top individual honor. “It’s more than the statistics. It’s how he represented his school this year.”
Ferrer also grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double finish, as UST got ample support from Karim Abdul and Ed Daquioag also, who also came through with clutch baskets in the final four minutes.
The scores:
UST 62—Ferrer 29, Abdul 11, Daquioag 10, Vigil 5, Bonleon 3, Lao 2, Lee 2, Faundo 0, Huang 0, Sheriff 0.
FEU 56—Belo 16, Pogoy 12, Jose 9, Tolomia 7, Iñigo 5, Oorizu 3, Dennison 2, Tami 2, Arong 0, Escoto Ri. 0, Escoto Ru. 0, Trinidad 0.
Quarters: 13-20, 21-30, 47-41, 62-56
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