Camille Clarin has fully embraced the leadership role for National University, so it truly meant a lot to her to defeat De La Salle University at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Looking back to two years ago, on November 23, 2022, it was at the UST arena where the once-mighty Lady Bulldogs first witnessed a sign that their armor was cracking.
After nine years and 108 games of winning, winning, and winning, NU lost.
The Lady Archers ended the longest winning streak in UAAP history in any event, stunning the Lady Bulldogs, 61-57.
Although NU continued its championship streak in Season 85 – securing its seventh consecutive title – that streak came to an end the following year, this time at the hands of University of Santo Tomas.
Beating La Salle at UST QPav on Wednesday afternoon certainly felt great for NU captain Camille Clarin.
“I’ll never forget that game, that’s for sure. But I think it was a chance to create new memories for the rest of the team,” said the 5-foot-10 winger.
“I think that gives them momentum, not just for us seniors, but for the rookies to see that it’s a new era of NU women’s basketball.”
This victory meant even more, knowing it would be the last time Clarin would face La Salle in the UAAP.
Although she has one more year of eligibility, the Gilas Pilipinas Women mainstay revealed that this would be her final year for NU, deciding not to take her fifth playing year.
“It feels great. I mean, La Salle has always given us a hard time. Throughout the season, even in the championship in 2022, they’re a great team. They’re very well-coached. They always put up a good fight against us, so I always look forward to this game,” shared Clarin.
“I have one more year, but it’s my final year. I’m not going to take my fifth year.”
Now that she has revealed this would be her last hurrah in the collegiate ranks, Clarin knows that NU will be in good hands, though not without its growing pains.
Clarin helped the Lady Bulldogs win three championships – two in 5-on-5 and one in 3×3.
Now, they have a chance to reclaim their lost throne, as they are one win away from an elimination round sweep and an outright Finals berth in the Season 87 women’s basketball tournament.
“It’s going to be difficult for sure. There are definitely going to be bumps in the road. But I feel like there are some people who are ready to really take on that role, to step up for people like me, Angel (Surada), Maymay (Canuto), Princess (Fabruada),” said Clarin.
“I think they may not be ready right away, but they’re going to learn. I think that putting them in those situations is going to help them grow into the players they can be,” she continued. “I’m super excited for them to face the challenges and to realize how hard it really is to be a senior, to be a captain, to lead a team.”
At the forefront of her mind as potential future leaders of NU are gritty guard Aloha Betanio and do-it-all Ann Pingol.
“Aloha and Karl Ann. I think they’re two people who are really going to step up as leaders. They’re people I’ve taken under my wing since they were rookies, so I think they really have the chance to step up and be great.”
