Tantoy Ferrer vowed to continue refining her game as Gilas Pilipinas shifts its focus to the FIBA 3×3 Women’s World Cup set this June in Warsaw, Poland.
Ferrer helped the Philippines secure a spot in the global tournament after clinching the last ticket in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifiers, following a dominant 21-10 win over host Singapore in the third-place game four days ago.
“Malaking achievement sa amin ’yun kasi ‘yun nga, ‘yung mga kalaban namin doon Europeans eh, mga 6-footer. Kami parang 5’8, 5’9 lang kami,” the former UAAP champion said after tallying 24 points and 22 rebounds in her RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT debut last Wednesday.
“Mga point guard lang kami ‘pag naglalaro sa 3×3, pero ‘yun nga, sinasabi namin pa lagi stick together, laban lang, puso. And usually ‘yun naman talaga ‘yung ano ng Gilas eh, so ayun,” she added.
Ferrer came in as a replacement for Cheska Apag, joining the core of Kacey Dela Rosa, Afril Bernardino, and Mikka Cacho — the same group that captured a silver medal in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup.
(C) FIBA 3×3
The former UST star said she feels determined to further sharpen her guard skills as she prepares for the demands of international competition, including match-ups against taller opponents in the World Cup.
She also stressed the importance of building chemistry with her new teammates as she continues to adjust to the system and strengthen her on-court connection with the core group ahead of the global meet.
“Siguro ano, i-work on pa namin ‘yung chemistry namin sa loob, kasi nga ang laruan talaga naming [apat] ilalim eh. Puro bigs ‘yun eh. Siguro ‘yung i-improve ko naman, aralin namin kung paano maglaro ‘yung [guards] kasi ang hirap ng role bilang small eh,” said Ferrer.
Ferrer also said she feels honored to help Gilas Pilipinas return to the world stage, marking the country’s second appearance in the competition since hosting the event in 2018.
“Honored ako kasi part din ako nung pool na ‘yun na nakapasok, ‘yun nga nag-qualify kami sa World Cup and for how many years, ‘di ba? ‘Yung last time na naka-qualify, 2018, so ‘yun nga ang tagal.”
