Ann Pingol didn’t wait for the final buzzer to celebrate a career milestone — hers came even before NU stepped onto the floor for the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball finals.
The 24-year-old winger from Iloilo City is ready for the biggest stage of her young career after earning a late call-up to Gilas Women for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, marking her first-ever appearance in the biennial tournament.
“Before nitong finals nalaman ko na na-lineup ako sa Gilas. Last-minute lang talaga siya. It’s an opportunity so why not,” said the 5-foot-7 forward after NU’s 84-79 victory over UST in Game 1.
Rather than feeling overwhelmed, Pingol embraced the moment, especially after hearing the support from her Lady Bulldogs teammates.
“Sinasabi ng mga kasama ko sa NU na deserve ko at trabaho pa rin sa kung ano ginagawa ko dito dahil siguro nakita rin ng coach sa Gilas yung game ko dito sa UAAP,” she added.
“Happy lang sila para sa akin nung nakita nila ako sa list ng Gilas.”
The Chiang Kai Shek College alumna is also on track to be crowned UAAP Season 88 Most Valuable Player, adding another highlight to her breakout campaign.
Her SEA Games debut, however, will follow quickly: should NU finish the job against UST on Wednesday, Pingol will fly out the next day — just in time for the Philippines’ opener against Malaysia on Saturday.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
She will join familiar faces in the Gilas fold, including current NU teammate Angel Surada, former Lady Bulldogs Monique Del Carmen and Afril Bernardino, and longtime NU and national team coach Pat Aquino.
Because of that, Pingol expects the transition to feel natural.
“Super excited pero kinakabahan and pressured kasi, yun nga, ibang level ang international. May tiwala lang din ako sa mga kasama ko — sila Afril Bernardino at Janine Pontejos,” she said.
“Nakaka-proud hanggang Gilas may mga seniors kami na nandun.”
Pingol finished with just three points, two rebounds, and three assists in Game 1 — numbers well below her usual production. Still, she stressed that NU’s collective effort proved to be the difference as they moved one win away from defending their crown.
“Kahit undefeated sila, bilog ang bola. Tapos na yung eliminations, nasa finals na kami. Zero-zero talaga at siguro nag-effort lang kami. Kung ano lang yung game plan, sinunod lang namin system ni Coach DA (Olan),” she said.
“Inayos talaga namin defense namin. Alam namin nung elimination round, wala talaga kaming defense so yun yung inayos namin, kung paano dedepensahan every player.”
#WATCH: Ann Pingol is all in—leading NU’s #UAAPSeason88 title defense and chasing Gilas Women’s redemption in #SEAGames2025! 🏀🐶🇵🇭#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/91eDp1UihU
📹 @lorenzodelc /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/cAI6z6trtz
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 6, 2025
