From pals to rivals: Daquioag, Ferrer face off in D-League finals

Ed Daquioag vs Kevin Ferrer. PBA IMAGES

Former teammates in University of Santo Tomas, Kevin Ferrer and Ed Daquioag now find themselves in opposing sides as Phoenix battles Tanduay in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Finals.

And on Thursday, what was only seen before in Espana is now in full display in Binan, Laguna, as the Growling Tigers defended and tried to score on one another.

Trash talking the night before during the Gilas practice, both Ferrer and Daquioag are setting aside their friendship in search of delivering a title to their respective squads.

“Alam naman nila na kalaban ko sila, so wala munang kai-kaibigan. Laro muna,” said Ferrer.

Daquioag responded: “Focused kami sa gameplans namin. Yung matchup namin ni Kevin, parang regular competition lang. Friendly competition nga eh.”

Though the Accelerators slasher admitted having a tough time guarding his former comrade, Daquioag believes that he has Ferrer all figured out.

“Mahirap sya bantayan kasi may drive, may shooting. Kailangan tingnan yung positioning nya kung saan sya pupunta,” he said. “Adjusted naman ako kasi alam ko ang galaw nya sa UST. Medyo kabisado ko na rin sya.”
Phoenix would go on and take Game 1, 84-76 and inch closer on completing the season sweep.

Ferrer would have none of that, and believes that the Rhum Masters can bounce back come Game 2 on Tuesday.

“Tingin ko breaks of the game lang talaga. Babawi kami,” he said, as Tanduay hopes to rectify the 54-41 rebounding margin in the affair. “Tingin ko yung lack of box out and rebounds, yun ang yung ia-adjust
namin.”

He is also hoping to keep his emotions in check against a Phoenix team which is bannered by FEU stalwarts which denied him a UAAP title in his final year in UST.

“Yun nga ang sinasabi ko, na di ko dapat papairalin yung gigil, yung revenge sa FEU kasi ibang team na naman yan eh. May business kami,” he said.

“Meron pa kaming chance. Di pa tapos yung series. Lahat ng mistakes namin iwo-work namin.”

Game 2 is on Tuesday at Strike Gym in Bacoor, Cavite.