IT has been an unforgettable journey for Tantoy Ferrer of the University of Santo Tomas, transitioning from an ACL tear to tears of pride and joy within a year.
Ferrer's basketball career hit a roadblock when she suffered an ACL injury during the UAAP Season 84's 3x3 tournament. This setback kept her out of action for the entire Season 85. In that season, UST, without Ferrer, fell short in the 3x3 title game against the dominant National University squad.
READ: Tigresses end NU's seven-year UAAP reign
Despite the adversity, Ferrer made a triumphant return to the 5x5 competition in her senior year. She played a pivotal role in UST's championship campaign, culminating in the dethronement of National University, which had held the title for seven years.
Ferrer's outstanding performance earned her the Finals MVP award.
“Di ba parang imposible nga kasi nagka-ACL injury ako ng one year tapos ito ako, lumalaban sa championship and may bonus pa na nakuha ‘yung Finals MVP kaya grateful talaga ako,” said Ferrer, who had 19 points and 14 rebounds.
Throughout her recovery, Ferrer received unwavering support and encouragement from her coach, Haydee Ong, and her teammates.
“Paulit-ulit sa akin sinabi nila Coach (Haydee Ong) na ‘Toy, kaya mo. Kahit galing kang ACL (injury), alam kong kaya mo makipag-compete pa.’ Nakikita nila na araw-araw kong pinag-tatrabahuan (na makabalik),” she recalled.
“Nag-rerehab ako tapos nakikita ko silang naglalaro, ‘yun ‘yung nagpa-motivate sa ’kin na ibuhos lahat. Every game since Day One na nakabalik ako sa training, talagang all out ako and 100 percent. Ito na yung result, ito na yung bonus para sa akin na galing ACL, naibalik na namin ‘yung korona sa España.”
As Ferrer bids farewell to her collegiate career at UST, she leaves behind a legacy of resilience and triumph over adversity, marking the beginning of a new era for women's basketball.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
