The TNT Tropang 5G aren’t wasting any time preparing for Season 50, starting the PBA arms race a day after the PBA Draft by signing free agent forward Kevin Ferrer to a one-year deal. The signing was announced by the team on its social media channels.
Ferrer, 32, has played for three PBA teams in seven seasons, starting his career with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel before getting traded to the NorthPort Batang Pier in the deal that brought Stanley Pringle to Ginebra. Ferrer was again traded in 2023, this time to the Terrafirma Dyip for the rights to Joshua Munzon.
The former UST Growling Tiger is two years removed from ACL reconstruction and averaged 9.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.8 steal in his lone full season with the Dyip.
What Kevin Ferrer Brings to TNT
Signing Kevin Ferrer might not qualify as a “splashy” acquisition, but his fit in TNT should be seamless basketball-wise. The 6-foot-4 wing is a career 32% shooter from deep, and he will surely get more than enough open looks in that famed TNT dribble-drive system that is sure to be on overdrive next season with Jordan Heading, Rey Nambatac, and a returning Jayson Castro.
Perhaps just as important, Ferrer is also a pesky, hard-nosed defender, and that alone will earn him minutes given the Tropa’s defense-first philosophy. In fact, with Ferrer and Glenn Khobuntin, the Tropa now have two of the league’s peskiest defenders.
In addition, Ferrer brings versatility to the table, as he can play the 2 and 3 and even the 4 in small ball lineups with his physicality and willingness to get down and dirty in the paint. This ability to play multiple positions will in turn allow TNT coach Chot Reyes to play Ferrer in varying configurations depending on need or matchup. Look for Reyes to alternately use Ferrer as a traditional wing and as a stretch 4.
Put simply, TNT got a solid player in Kevin Ferrer. That he also brings championship experience—Ferrer won a couple with Ginebra—means he won’t get lost in that championship culture Reyes has instilled in the Tropa.
