'Unofficial' UAAP co-MVP Kevin Ferrer: 'Ayokong umuwi nang luhaan'

Before Game Two of the UAAP finals series between University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University on Saturday afternoon, something incredible happened.

As the league handed out individual awards, the season's Most Valuable Player Kiefer Ravena called up Kevin Ferrer to lift the trophy with him and christened the King Tiger as the unofficial co-MVP.

It turned out to be the best prelude to the epic game that would follow, courtesy of none other than the man who was recognized by a fellow superstar.

"Isang karangalan rin na 'yung kasabayan ko, sinama pa ako dun," Ferrer said. To himself he silently vowed: "Ayokong umuwi ngayon nang luhaan."

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The UST forward had an awful shooting at first - he hit a forgettable 1-of-8 clip in the first half and scored only four points, far from his usual numbers that propelled him second to only Ravena in the statistical tally.

But as Ferrer went to the line for two charities early after the break, he felt a switch flick inside him.

"Nagsimula 'yung kumpyansa ko nung nag free throw ako e. Naramdaman ko na mainit yung kamay ko," he said.

Shortly after, he exploded for 24 points in the in the third quarter alone while hitting six three-pointers in cold succession - a feat that only the MVP himself has done this season.

It was as if the encounter with Ravena prior to the game and a single touch on the MVP trophy has transferred to him something else - certainly not skills or talent, but perhaps the spirit that game heroes feel when they do phenomenal things.

Ferrer's co-MVP award may have been unofficial, but he has proven that he very much deserves an individual accolade for carrying his team in this finals series.

"Para sa akin MVP si Kevin, wala nang iba," his coach, Bong Dela Cruz, said. "Wala naman sa amin nagsasabi na mapupunta kami sa finals e. But si Kevin Ferrer, andito siya at ni-lead niya 'yung team." —JST, GMA News