After making the UAAP women’s basketball scene her playground last season on her way to claiming the Season 88 MVP trophy, Ann Pingol has found herself with a bigger target on her back.
The graduating forward of National University admitted that basketball has become more challenging since winning the league’s top individual award, with opposing teams now focusing more of their defensive efforts on her.
“Siguro after nung MVP ko, sabi ko parang hindi na ako makagalaw ah,” said Pingol on Sunday after NU escaped Far Eastern University, 66-60, at the Blue Eagle Gym.
“Yun nga sabi ng coaches, siyempre there’s so much room for improvement pa rin. Kumbaga dito ko unang ma-e-experience ‘yung mga makukuha ko ring experience kapag mag-professional basketball ako,” she recalled, referring to how her coaches challenged her to rise above the tougher defensive attention.
The difference has been evident in the Lady Bulldogs’ first four games of Season 89, in which they have posted a 3-1 record. Pingol has averaged 9.25 points, 9.25 rebounds, 3.25 assists, 2.25 steals, and 1.25 blocks per game.
For context, Pingol claimed last season’s MVP honors with a more dominant stat line of 14.29 points, 8.93 rebounds, 5.14 assists, 3.57 steals, and 1.07 blocks per game during NU’s 12-2 elimination-round campaign.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
She turned in her best performance of the season so far against the Lady Tamaraws, leading the Lady Bulldogs with 14 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
Despite the dip in her numbers, head coach DA Olan remains unfazed, emphasizing that Pingol’s value to the team goes well beyond scoring.
“Well, si Karl Ann naman, nakuha niya ‘yung MVP not by scoring. Hindi siya ‘yung scorer talaga. She’s a playmaking big. That’s why she became MVP last season, not by scoring but by assists niya and ‘yung rebounds niya,” said the second-year coach.
“Very versatile kasi she can penetrate, she can shoot from outside, pero the reason she was the MVP last year is not really because of the scoring; it’s a little bit of everything. Complete package kumbaga.”
As a well-rounded player, Pingol also recognizes that her priorities for improvement as the first round nears its conclusion go beyond her shooting. Against FEU, she recorded just one assist while committing two turnovers — areas she hopes to improve moving forward.
“Personally, more on sharing the ball lang kasi the past few games nagwa-one-on-one kami lahat,” said the Season 88 MVP.
“Yung rebounding ko, dapat offense and defense makakatulong ako. Kahit hindi ako maka-score, kahit hindi ako makahawak ng bola, at least nandiyan ako. Makikita nila ako na nagre-rebound para sa kanila.”
