UST coach Bong de la Cruz was all praises for Kevin Ferrer, saying the Tigers skipper played despite feeling ill.
The Tigers fought back from 16 points down to win by 10 over the Blue Eagles on Saturday, with Ferrer scoring a career-high 27 while playing with fever.
“‘Yung puso ni Kevin Ferrer, hindi mo na makukuwestiyon ‘yun. He played sick today. May fever siya. Linabanan lang niya ’yung nararamdaman niya,” said De la Cruz.
[See Torrid Kevin Ferrer shooting sparks big UST Tigers comeback against Ateneo]
Ferrer said he already had flu-like symptoms the night before the match.
“Kagabi pa ako hindi makatulog. Parang tatrangkasuhin ako,” said Ferrer. He he entered the locker room for the postgame press conference with a towel draped over his head.
“Paggising ko, sobrang sama ng pakiramdam ko,” Ferrer added.
Ferrer still delivered, hitting three straight triples in a crucial 22-1 run as the Tigers scored a come-from-behind 68-58 win over the Blue Eagles.
The Tigers skipper said he didn’t want to start the game, but was convinced by De la Cruz that he can.
“Sabi ko nga kay coach bago ’yung game, second group muna ako. Tinatantsa ko pa ’yung sarili ko. Sabi naman ni coach, labanan ko. Ayun, awa ng Diyos, binigyan ako ng lakas,” Ferrer said.
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