KEVIN Ferrer said there was nothing personal with the way he defended Bobby Ray Parks on Sunday, saying he was just trying to do the best he can to stop one of the best players in the UAAP basketball today.
The big man from University of Santo Tomas was credited for his all-around play in the Tigers’ 71-62 Final Four win over National University, scoring 14 points and hitting four three-pointers to help the Tigers forge a rubber match for a berth in this year’s Finals.
But the crowning moment for Ferrer was the way he made life difficult for two-time MVP Parks who he held to just 14 points, including just two in the first half.
The son of the late great PBA import Bobby Parks later vented his frustration at how Ferrer tried to play him physically, claiming the UST big man also employed some dirty tactics along the way.
[For full story, see Parks vents frustration, claims Ferrer defense was way too physical]
However, the versatile UST forward said there was nothing personal with his match-up with Parks, a former teammate in the national 3-on-3 team, as he was just trying to do his job.
“Wala naman,” said Ferrer, who is fast earning a reputation as one of the best defenders in the league.
“Ayoko lang magpatalo kasi magaling siya. Gusto ko lang siya depensahan. ‘Yun lang naman. Naging challenge siya sa akin. Siya ang MVP, tska ka-pwestuhan ko,” added Ferrer.
Ferrer said he knew going into the game that he can match up well with Parks based on their previous matches.
“Malaki ‘yung tulong ng rotation kasi may tiwala ako sa teammates ko. Last year, na-stop ko rin si Parks. ‘Yun ang nagdala sa akin ng confidence,” said Ferrer.
The gangling forward said he just concentrated on defense and it just so happened the offense came shortly after a miserable 0-for-8 performance in the Tigers' two previous matches.
“’Yung shooting, dumating lang talaga,” Ferrer said.
The winner-take-all match between the fourth seeded Tigers and top seed Bulldogs is set on Saturday.
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