FORMER Growling Tigresses Tantoy Ferrer and Nikki Villasin, who played huge roles in UST’s Season 86 women’s basketball championship, have returned to join head coach Haydee Ong’s coaching staff.
Both key players in last year’s title run, they are expected to offer veteran guidance and leadership as the Tigresses look to defend their crown in Season 87.
“They’re volunteering for the team because that’s how [much] they love the team,” Ong said after UST’s opening game against UE on Sunday.
“Kahit na walang sweldo, walang ano, nandyan sila every time na may practice ‘tong UST. So, malaking impact for the players and also for us na nandyan pa rin sina Nikki at saka si Tantoy.”
Ferrer and Villasin started working with the team after Season 86, helping out as practice players during training.
Ferrer’s main contribution lies in sharing her experience as a former big under Ong’s system with UST’s new frontcourt players.
“Sa’kin kasi, alam ko na sistema nila coach kaya mas madali ako maka-adjust, alam ko na kung anong gusto nilang gawin,” Ferrer, a part of the Gilas Pilipinas women’s 3×3 lineup, told the Varsitarian.
“Sinabi ko lang sa kanila kung pano ko ginagawa dati ‘yong role ko sa team, pano mag-isip at dumiskarte sa loob ng court. ‘Yong mga bigs naman willing talaga matuto kasi nakikinig sila pag sasabihan mo or iko-correct mo sila sa mga mali nilang nagawa.”
UST forward Rachelle Ambos, who shined in UST’s Season 87 opener with a double-double performance of 13 points and 13 rebounds, said Ferrer’s presence on the bench will be instrumental for the Tigresses’ bigs.
“Malaking bagay na nandyan sila at nagga-guide sa’min kung ano ‘yong mga adjustments namin at mga kakulangan sa loob ng court,” Ambos said. “At saka naging positive din sa’min na makikita lang namin silang dalawa sa bench. Malaking bagay talaga ‘yon.”
Meanwhile, Villasin, the two-and-through Fil-Am guard who delivered the championship-winning layup for UST in last season’s finals, is helping the team by recording game statistics, according to Ong.
Ong said it’s up to the alumni if they want to become official members of her coaching staff, but they will need to undergo formal training if they choose to do so.
For now, as UST looks to defend their title in Season 87, the two former Tigresses are supporting the team however they can, whether as part of the coaching staff, practice players, or simply as cheerleaders.
“‘Yong love talaga sa UST team, pamilya na talaga ‘yong turing ko sa kanila,” Ferrer said, explaining why she chose to still help UST out despite her national team responsibilities.
“Siyempre ‘yong makapasok kami sa finals [ang goal] pero palagi sa’min sinasabi ni coach Haydee, one game at a time muna, focus kung sino yung makakalaban namin.”
