Brotherhood has been the key for the league-leaders University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
The glue to the UST family? Smart Elite ambassador Kevin Ferrer. The newest King Tiger has been the driving force in leading UST back to the top of the UAAP standings this season. “With Kevin, maganda yung pinapakita niyang example sa mga teammates niya,” head coach Bong Dela Cruz said about his skipper.
Ferrer, who bagged his second ACCEL Quantum/3XVI-UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week crown, has taken the leadership role by heart this year. So far, everything is going his way.
After the Tigers fell behind by 14 early against La Salle last Wednesday, the 22-year-old huddled his teammates and shook off their slow start. The Tigers choked the Green Archers with their killer defense and bombarded them with booming long bombs. That searing run saw huge contributions from Ferrer’s “brothers” like Kyle Suarez, Louie Vigil, Ed Daquioag, and Karim Abdul.
Saddled by foul trouble all game long, Ferrer eventually finished the job in the fourth, firing 10 straight points to start the frame, helping UST maul La Salle, 77-61, on Wednesday. He wound up with 17 points, highlighted by a 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc, in just 16 minutes of action.
The 6-foot-4 wingman is just elated to share the spotlight with his teammates. “Sobrang saya ko kasi nagse-step up na yung mga kapatid ko,” the Smart Elite ambassador said. “Unang una pa lang, sabi ko sa kanila na kailangang lahat tayo mag-step up, lalo na sa defense kasi yun talaga ang magpapanalo sa amin. Nangyari na nga yung situation kaya masayang masaya kami.”
Coach Dela Cruz is hoping that the good run of his “family” would be sustained as the second round nears. “We’re enjoying the game. We’re a family. Our character is being tested and our family is being tested, but we have to defend and find a way to keep our family strong,” he said.
Ferrer upended the following for this week’s crown:
Jerome Garcia (AdU)
Week average: 26 points, 8/15 FG, 50% 3FG%
Win over: University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons
Jeron Teng (DLSU)
Week average: 15.5 points, 42.85% FG%, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Win over: Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles
Loss against: University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers
