University of Santo Tomas transferee Kent Pastrana had a disappointing performance against her former team De La Salle University, last Sunday in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
The Season 82 Rookie of the Year managed only two points, three rebounds, and three steals in over 25 minutes of action on the floor. In contrast, she had been averaging 4.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 steals prior to the game.
Indeed, it was a bad day in the office for Pastrana.
“Happy na po ako na nakuha namin yung panalo kahit off day ako ngayon pero naniniwala ako sa mga teammates ko na kaya nilang gawin yung makuha ang panalo. Siyempre, nag-stick kami sa system ni Coach Haydee at coaches tsaka ginawa namin yung best namin para manalo kami today,” she said.
“Hindi naman natin po maiwasan na may off games talaga pero gumawa ako ng ibang way para makatulong sa team namin.”
Pastrana was seen as La Salle’s star for the future when she suited up for the Lady Archers back in 2019. Her recruitment into the La Salle program was considered a significant pickup for Coach Cholo Villanueva.
However, things took a turn, and she transferred to UST during the prolonged off-season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The subdued performance against her former school was glaring, but she denied that she was beset by nervousness before and during the game.
“Wala naman po. Off game lang talaga sa today’s game. Wala po ako magagawa kasi yun nga po ang binigay ngayon,” she said.
In Pastrana’s place, players like Tacky Tacatac, Brigette Santos, Tantoy Ferrer, and reigning MVP Eka Soriano stepped up for UST. Tacatac had a marvelous game, leading the Growling Tigresses with 25 points – 17 of which came in the first half – alongside three assists and three rebounds.
Santos contributed 14 points, six assists, six steals, and five rebounds, while Ferrer had 11 points and five rebounds. Soriano produced 11 points, backed by three three-point shots in the final frame, and three rebounds.
Ultimately, UST executed a fine team performance to get the win at La Salle’s expense.
“Sinabi ko lang naman kay Kent (ay) just be Kent. She just played a bad game today, and hopefully she can bounce back sa next game namin. Siyempre, ano yan eh, at the back of her head, may naiisip siya pero Kent will be Kent,” said Ong.
“I think in order for us to be special this season, everybody should be special. Hindi lang si Kent, hindi lang si Tacky (Tacatac). Si Eka (Soriano) nung last quarter provided some power also. Yung mga off-the-bench players ko, yung mga big man ko, they stopped din yung import ng La Salle,” the former national team head coach continued.
“It’s a team effort, and we’re very happy talaga sa win ngayon.”
Pastrana and the rest of the Growling Tigresses still have a long way to go this Season 86. They may have started their campaign well with three straight wins, but this Wednesday will be their first acid test this year — a match against defending champions National University.
As much as UST will be eager to continue its momentum, NU will also want to win badly after losing to the University of the Philippines last Sunday for the first time in 12 years. It will be a big game between both teams and a golden opportunity for Pastrana to bounce back.
“Mag-pe-prepare pa din po kami kasi lahat naman po ng teams, nag-pe-prepare naman lahat. Gagawin namin ang best namin para makuha ang panalo.”
