Kent Pastrana’s final year in the UAAP is shaping up to be a memorable one as the University of Santo Tomas secured at least a Final Four berth with a flawless 9-0 start in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Already a one-time champion with the Growling Tigresses, Pastrana aims not only to finish her collegiate career as a winner but also to leave UST with a strong foundation for the future.
One of the young prospects the Tigresses are grooming as a potential cornerstone is Fil-Australian rookie Erinn McAlary.
The 5-foot-9 forward from Melbourne displayed flashes of brilliance in UST’s dominant 95-66 win over Adamson University on Wednesday, which officially booked the team’s Final Four seat.
“For me, it’s just really important that I do quality minutes. I just want to make the most out of it and figure out how to contribute to the team the best that I can,” said McAlary, who tallied eight points on two triples, along with two rebounds, an assist, and a steal in just eight minutes of play.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Sharing the same position as Pastrana — a three-time Mythical Team member — McAlary said she feels determined to learn as much as she can from the veteran before her graduation.
“It’s an amazing experience, especially from Kent, since we play similar positions. It has definitely pushed me to become a better player as well and Kent’s one of my inspirations,” McAlary said.
For Pastrana, helping McAlary adjust seamlessly to Philippine basketball has become one of her priorities, knowing that both she and playmaker Eka Soriano are in their final year with UST — a team that has reached the Finals in the past two seasons.
Head coach Haydee Ong likewise sees McAlary as a vital piece of UST’s long-term plans. For her, it’s only a matter of time before the 19-year-old forward reaches her full potential.
“Tinatry namin yung best namin na mas matulungan siya and ma-adapt niya yung culture and program ng UST. Si Erinn naman, mabait naman. Nakikinig naman kahit minsan hindi niya kami maintindihan, pero nage-gets niya yung gusto mangyari sa loob ng court,” said Pastrana, the Season 82 Rookie of the Year.
“With regard to basketball naman, Erinn is very coachable. I think hindi pa niya nakikita yung full potential as a player here sa UST. Slowly but surely, she’ll get into it and become a great player for UST,” Ong added.
