Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Basketball

Camille Clarin takes pride in defending archrival Kent Pastrana


It has been 368 days since National University was dethroned by University of Santo Tomas, but for Lady Bulldogs team captain Camille Clarin, the pain of that loss still feels fresh.

One play, in particular, stands out in Clarin’s memory – when Growling Tigresses ace Kent Pastrana shook her off and drained a jumper that tied the game in the dying moments of the do-or-die Game 3 last Season 86.

UST and Pastrana also held Clarin to just two points on a dismal 0-of-11 shooting from the field.

That pivotal play helped the Growling Tigresses bring an end to NU’s seven-year reign in UAAP women’s basketball.

Determined to make up for the defensive lapse that cost the Lady Bulldogs last season’s title, Clarin stepped up as a crucial asset in NU’s 72-71 triumph over UST in Season 87’s Game 1 on Sunday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

With Pastrana isolating against Clarin in the final moments, the presumptive Season 87 Mythical Five member was poised to convert a potential game-tying or go-ahead basket to lift the Growling Tigresses to victory.

However, Clarin locked down on Pastrana, forcing her to pass the ball to Tacky Tacatac, who missed a wide-open corner triple attempt.

Thanks to Clarin’s defensive efforts, the Lady Bulldogs moved one step closer to reclaiming the championship – their eighth title in the past nine UAAP seasons.

UAAP87-WBB-Kent-Pastrana-3043 Camille Clarin takes pride in defending archrival Kent Pastrana Basketball News NU UAAP  - philippine sports news

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

“That play, that last possession, one year and two days ago, was executed by Kent Jane. That moment has stuck with me, and it was the exact same possession this year,” Clarin shared.

“It was all about defense. No matter how many points they kept scoring, we just focused on the next step. What’s the next play that can bring us back into the game? And that was just relying on each other,” she continued.

While Pastrana had her way for much of the contest, Clarin was determined not to let the reigning UAAP Athlete of the Year deliver another clutch performance against her this time.

#ReadMore  Chua wants San Miguel, Magnolia to start import search as Brownlee ready for Ginebra

Clarin’s late-game defense on Pastrana held the UST ace to 22 points on 8-of-21 shooting, along with six rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

“If she scored 22 points, she wasn’t going to score 24. That’s all I cared about. It was that last possession. Because that was the possession that would win the game, and I made sure that, no matter what, she wasn’t going to score,” the Gilas Women mainstay explained.

“The ball fell in our favor, and I guess you do learn from your mistakes. If a mistake sticks with you for a year and two days, and you don’t learn from it, I don’t know what will. But I’m glad I did.”

Despite her desire to get back at UST and Pastrana, Clarin acknowledged the immense talent of the reigning UAAP champions, recognizing their skill since they first entered the league in Season 82 in 2019.

“And you’re telling me I stopped her? Twenty-two points, six rebounds? Kent is amazing. There’s no stopping Kent. But because my teammates are there, because they push me so hard, I know I’m not going to let that happen again,” she concluded.

Written By

A dreamer from Marikina, a reporter on the sidelines


You May Also Like

Basketball

On Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, University of Santo Tomas’ quest to defend its title was on the brink of ending....

Basketball

University of Santo Tomas homegrown talent Karylle Sierba refused to let a subpar performance in her UAAP women’s basketball finals debut affect her, especially...

Basketball

KEVIN Quiambao has joined an elite group of student-athletes who have won back-to-back UAAP Men’s Basketball Most Valuable Player titles, a distinction he earned...

Basketball

Brigette Santos delivered a career-defining performance in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Finals, leading defending champion University of Santo Tomas...

News

Denesse Daylisan showcased her skills and potential during her debut for National University Nazareth School in the UAAP Season 86 Girls’ Volleyball Tournament, despite...

ADMU

Kacey Dela Rosa formally received her second consecutive Most Valuable Player award in the UAAP Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall...

Basketball

University of Santo Tomas is now just one win away from clinching the championship in the UAAP Junior High School Basketball Tournament after a...

News

Just two months before the start of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, University of the East finds itself without a head coach....

Advertisement