Cielo Pagdulagan was on track to become a special player in UAAP women’s basketball after winning the Rookie of the Year and Finals MVP awards for National University in Season 87.
However, her promising sophomore campaign came to an abrupt halt when an illness kept her out for the entirety of Season 88.
Naturally, Pagdulagan felt saddened by how her supposed sophomore year disappeared in an instant. She could only watch from the sidelines as the Lady Bulldogs fell to the UST Growling Tigresses in the Season 88 championship series.
But Pagdulagan proved that the setback was only temporary.
Returning this Season 89, she immediately made her presence felt, leading NU to a 71-51 victory over Adamson University on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Last year po kasi, sobrang nalungkot talaga ako kasi siyempre hindi ako makakalaro. And mahirap manood lang habang nakikita mo ‘yung mga teammates mo na lumalaban sa court,” recalled Pagdulagan.
“Learnings lang talaga is huwag mong pababayaan ‘yung sarili mo and if need ng rest talaga, kailangan mag-rest. Happy ako kasi siyempre healthy na ako and thank God na fit to play na ako,” she continued.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Fit to play was quite an understatement.
Pagdulagan erupted for a game-high 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while also grabbing four rebounds and dishing out two assists in her first UAAP game since leading the Lady Bulldogs to the Season 87 crown two years ago.
Despite her lengthy layoff from basketball, the 5-foot-7 guard also showcased improvement in one facet of her game that she knew had been a weakness: her shooting.
“For me, tiwala lang ako sa tira ko kasi pinapractice ko naman siya. Alam naman nating lahat na first year ko pa lang, talagang weakness ko na ‘yung shooting. So ayun, tinrabaho ko lang at pinractice ko kaya medyo confident ako tumira,” said Pagdulagan, who shot 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Pagdulagan was only cleared to return to basketball activities last April. She worked closely with NU strength and conditioning coach Andre Rosales to improve her form and prepare for the new season.
Second-year head coach DA Olan expressed his gratitude that Pagdulagan is finally healthy and back on the court, admitting that her absence last season significantly affected their plans to defend the title.
“Sobrang laking bagay ni Cielo. Sobrang saya namin na she’s finally back and playing. Of course, malaking bagay siya nung nawala siya sa amin last year, kaya very happy kami na healthy na siya and very thankful kami na she’s fit to play,” said Olan.
“Marami talagang kayang ibigay si Cielo. Alam naman namin yun ever since nung high school pa siya. Imagine, she was the Finals MVP during her rookie season. So talagang malaking kawalan siya sa amin last year and napakalaking addition niya sa amin ulit this year.”
