The Tanduay Rhum Masters recently updated their already-stacked line-up by acquiring the services of former UST Growling Tigers star forward Kevin Ferrer to bolster their campaign in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
And the move has already paid dividends for Tanduay, as Ferrer strutted his stuff on the court by leading the Rhum Masters in sending down Cafe France Bakers for the second time this season, 75-74, on Monday, July 25.
With Cafe France up by a field goal, 74-72, Ferrer stepped up to the plate, draining a contested triple from the left wing with less than forty seconds left in the final frame of the tight affair to seal the deal, 75-72, and make his debut for his new team a sweet one.
Ferrer finished the game with only nine points, but his game-winning three was enough to bring Tanduay to it’s fourth straight victory.
For the Gilas Cadet skipper, that huge triple of his was his way of responding to the trust given to him by their head coach Lawrence Chongson.
“Sobrang binigyan ako ng tiwala ni Coach at ng teammates ko kaya ko nai-shoot yung last shot,” said the former King Tiger.
With regards to his D-League return, Ferrer spoke about how he was able to come back and play for the amateur league, saying that it was a personal decision of his since a long layoff from basketball made him miss the game a lot.
“Basta tumawag lang ako sa agent ko. Sabi ko gusto ko na maglaro, kasi two months na ‘kong puro weights lang,” he said.
“Ang hirap kasi ng walang mga laro eh. So, yun, Tanduay ang nag-respond sa’min, so ginrab ko na,” added Ferrer, who last played for UP-JAM Liners during the Aspirants’ Cup.
The six-foot-five wingman was assigned into the starting unit by Chongson in his first game wearing red and gold. When asked if Ferrer will be a fixture into the first five every game, he quickly downplayed expectations.
“Ganoon ata ang pag-welcome sa new players eh. Kasi balita ko, ‘pag new players, fini-first five para wala nang ilangan. Kumbaga binigyan kami ng kumpiyansa,” the mentor said.
With Ferrer’s addition, Tanduay has become even more deadlier, and they have boosted their chances of solidifying their place come semifinals. But for the former King Tiger, all that he has to do – for now – is to prove his worth for the Rhum Masters.
“Hindi ko pa masasabi kung anong magagawa ko. Hintayin na lang natin kung anong mangyayari. Basta ibibigay ko talaga ang best ko [for Tanduay],” he claimed.
