MANILA, Philippines - Rookie Kevin Ferrer showed he deserved some of the spotlight, too, as the former juniors MVP powered University of Santo Tomas to a 70-63 triumph over University of the East yesterday in UAAP Season 74 at the Araneta Coliseum.
In the shadows of his more illustrious fellow newcomers Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo and Bobby Ray Parks of National University, Ferrer came out of his own with a team-high 19 points that went with five rebounds as UST joined Ateneo atop the standings with 2-0.
“I’m happy because this is only my second game and I was the highest pointer and was instrumental in giving the lead,” said Ferrer, who fired 11 points in the second quarter that lifted UST to a 35-22 lead and later teamed up with Jeric Fortuna in extending it to 53-32 in the third.
Ferrer’s big game came after Ravena and Parks starred for their respective teams’ victories the last two days.
“Of course I want some of the attention, too. But it’s up to you guys,” he told mediamen during the post-game gab. “But I’d be OK by silently helping the team.”
UST coach Pido Jarencio said the Tigers relaxed a bit and allowed UE to threaten at 61-65 behind a Paul Zamar and Shej Sumang-led uprising.
“A win is a win, it doesn’t matter if it’s one point or 20 points,” said Jarencio, whose wards handed UE its second straight loss.
Earlier, the “real” Bobby Ray Parks Jr. showed up as National University trampled University of the Philippines, 75-66, to nail its first win after an opening game setback.
Contained by the UST Tigers in the Bulldogs’ 72-73 overtime loss last week, Parks waxed hot with 30 points – the league’s first 30-point output since Ateneo’s Rabeh Al Hussaini’s tally on Aug. 13, 2009 against University of the East – on an 8-of-13 clip.
“Bobby Ray had a good game. Overall, he had very good numbers; he provided not only the scoring for us but the stability when we needed it most,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.
Parks also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds to go with three assists and two steals.
“Everybody came together even though we struggled in losing our first game and we got the jitters out. Everybody stepped up, played their roles, we rebounded better and we took care of the ball more. It’s a job well done, we prepared hard for it,” said Parks.
The 6-4 rookie bounced back from his 16-point performance and 5-of-20 shooting against UST, his life made more miserable then by Jeric Teng’s sticky defense.
“First game, I couldn’t breathe; he (Teng) was really like my jersey. I was adjusting to the refs, too. And we definitely took on pressure of losing our first game and getting all that comments about overrated and all that. But the team succeeded, they got my back, we stayed together and played well as a team,” said Parks.
The Bulldogs seized control with a 10-0 start but a letdown allowed the Maroons to wrest the lead (43-40) in the second quarter. Then Parks came to their rescue and NU pretty much stamped its class since.
“One thing positive about this match compared to our last game was we were able to gain back our composure and poise because admittedly this team is young so there’ll be a lot of growing pains, learning curve for us this season,” said Altamirano.
Mike Silungan was held down to a mere five points for UP (1-1), which was led by Jose Manuel’s 21 and Anjelo Montecastro’s 12.
Notes: Coach Eric Altamirano posted his first win as NU coach at the expense of his alma mater. Interestingly, he was the last mentor to lead the Maroons to the Final Four in 1997.