Clare Castro looks to match Grace Irebu speed for speed

There was a sense of relief in Clare Castro’s face last Sunday. 

She got a chance to don Far Eastern University’s colors for one more day after the Lady Tamaraws gutted out a 79-73 win over the Adamson Lady Falcons to move up the UAAP Season 82 Stepladder Semis.

“Sobrang saya pero hindi pa tapos e. Masaya kami na mas humaba pa ‘yung time namin sa FEU,” shared the 22-year-old, who had 18 points, 17 rebounds, and four blocks.

However, the work is not yet over.

Up next for Castro and the Lady Tamaraws are Grace Irebu and the UST Growling Tigresses.

During the elimination round, UST defeated FEU in their two encounters. And head coach Bert Flores knows they need to stop Irebu for a chance to live to fight another day.

“‘Yung preparation namin is stop Irebu,” said Flores, as Irebu is averaging 21.93 points and 15.14 rebounds per game. “Last game kasi Irebu at [Tacky] Tacatac e, ‘yan ‘yung focus namin.

“Mas may advantage sila sa size sa amin, mabilis din sila kaysa kay Clare. Kaya ‘yun preparation talaga.”

Knowing that she is two inches taller than the Congolese, Castro plans to impose her size while keeping pace with her in terms of speed come Wednesday.

“Mas matangkad ako kay Irebu… pero tratrabahuin ko ‘yung bilis niya. Kung masabayan ko bilis niya, maiilang na siya.”