UST's Tantoy Ferrer caps collegiate career with championship

Tantoy Ferrer had her last dance in the UAAP as the University of Santo Tomas claimed the women's basketball crown on Wednesday.

Posting averages of 15.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals, Ferrer was also named as the Most Valuable Player of the Finals series.

However, it was not an easy journey for Ferrer and the Tigresses.

A year ago, Ferrer suffered an ACL injury during the UAAP Season 84 3x3 basketball which led to her missing the 5-on-5 tournament the following season.

"Parang impossible kasi ACL injury ako, one year ago. 'Eto ako [ngayon], lumaban sa championship. May bonus pa, nakuha ko ang Finals MVP," a grateful Ferrer said.

[It seemed impossible coming from an ACL injury, one year ago. Now I'm here, fighting for the championship. And I won Finals MVP, that's a bonus.]

While undergoing rehab, Ferrer said looking at her teammates while training motivated her to recover and return which eventually bore fruit for her.

"Nakikita nila araw-araw kong pinagtatrabahhuhan. Rehab ako tapos sila naglalaro, 'yun nagpa-motivate sa akin," she said. "Ibubuhos ko lahat every game. Since Game 1, all-out ako. Ito na ang result, ito na ang bonus para sa akin na galing ACL."

[They see me work for it every day. They're playing the game while I have to rehab. That's what motivated me. I pour my all into every game. Since Game 1, I was going all out. This is the result, this the bonus for me coming off the ACL injury.]

UST head coach Haydee Ong relished their journey with the graduating Ferrer.

"Ang relationship namin ni Tantoy is very special. Alam ko kung kailangan ko siya ilabas sa court, ipasok," she said.

"She's the heart and soul nung naghahabol kami. During [the] second game, she had flu, she still played for us," Ong said.

[My relationship with Tantoy is very special. I know when to put her in or out of the court. She's the heart and soul when we were catching up. During the second game, she had flu, she still played for us.]

She added that she made it clear to Ferrer her importance in the series.

"'Di namin kaya manalo pag wala ka."

[We can't win without you.]

True enough, Tantoy delivered for the Tigresses as they ended a 17-year title drought. Now, the women's basketball crown is back in España.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News