It seemed like the same old script from game one: the Tamaraws bullying the Growling Tigers in the shaded lane, getting all those rebounds, sinking short stabs and putbacks, and limiting their opponent’s 1-2 punch.
Scoring a paltry 21 points for the first 20 minutes, University of Santo Tomas (UST) found its savior in their most valuable player, Kevin Ferrer, who exploded for 24 points in nine minutes in the third quarter, mounting a dramatic turnaround for the Tigers’ 62-56 victory over Far Eastern University (FEU) today at the Smart-Araneta Colisum.
The win levelled the best-of-three University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball finals, with the do-or-die game three set on December 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ferrer, the 2010 UAAP juniors MVP and this year’s Mythical Five member, could have played his last game for his five-year collegiate career had UST lost.
His career high-tying game happened at the perfect moment, when the beleaguered Tigers desperately needed a leader to salvage their season.
The third quarter was owned lock, stock, and barrel by Ferrer, opening it with eight unanswered points, starting with two free throws and two high-arching triples for a 29-30 deficit.
IN PHOTOS: Kevin Ferrer goes berserk, forges game three for UST
“My confidence grew when I sank my free throws. My hands loosened. I felt my hands burning,” Ferrer recalled.
After a made free throw by Mac Belo, Ferrer continued on draining contested treys and made two straight for a 35-31 lead.
The Tamaraws were unfazed, with Roger Pogoy and Belo making their baskets, but Ferrer still continued on shooting. Two triples, a post-up shot, and a driving layup by him upped UST’s lead, 47-37, late in the third period.
“It was muscle memory in the third quarter. In the first half, I can’t flick my hands. In the third quarter, I just shot like I was in practice,” Ferrer remarked.
The man had to be rested though for a five-minute stretch between the third and fourth quarters and that was when the Tamaraws took charge.
A triple by Achie Inigo brought FEU back, 48-50, then Raymar Jose made up for Prince Orizu’s foul troubles, scoring six straight points off short stabs to complete the Tamaraws’ 13-0 run for a 54-50 lead.
With Ferrer obviously exhausted way back from his third quarter rampage, teamwork and better rebounding brought the Growling Tigers back, with Karim Abdul playing facilitator, issuing assist passes to Ed Daquioag, who converted on an easy layup, and Louie Vigil, who swished a 15-footer to grab the lead back at 55-54.
IN PHOTOS: Kevin Ferrer goes berserk, forges game three for UST
UST also made sure that FEU had no second chances, rebounding all four missed shots by the Tamaraws down the stretch, as Abdul converted four straight free throws for a much comfortable 60-54 lead in the last 24 seconds.
According to UAAP head statistician Pong Ducanes, it was FEU’s first time to be held below 60 points this season. Meanwhile, Ferrer’s 24-point third quarter was the most scored by a player in one quarter since the UAAP digitized its statistics in 2003.
In spite of their second half meltdown, FEU head coach Nash Racela recognized their weaknesses and vowed to bounce back.
“For game three, we will manage the energy of our players. We’ll touch on the things we need to improve on,” he said.
Ferrer finished the game with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and six triples to lead the Growling
Tigers, while Belo had another double-double—16 points and 11 rebounds—to lead the Tamaraws.
—with reports from Gay Ace Domingo
IN PHOTOS: Kevin Ferrer goes berserk, forges game three for UST
