Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws tower Clare Castro has been dominant all season long.
Well, except for when the 6-foot-4 center goes up against 6-foot-4 Rhena Itesi and 6-foot-2 Jack Animam of the National University Lady Bulldogs.
For the season, Castro has averaged 16.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. However, against the Lady Bulldogs, she could only put up 6.5 points and 5.0 rebounds.
This weekend, Castro will meet the dreaded NU duo once again. But more importantly, she is now ready.
Last Wednesday, Castro and the Lady Tamaraws outlasted Grace Irebu and the UST Growling Tigresses, 68-66, to earn the right for a showdown against NU.
“Nung wala si Clare, bulilit kami, para kaming minions,” quipped Lady Tamaraws head coach Bert Flores, as they missed the Finals a season ago.
“Ngayon, may [June Mar] Fajardo na kami, hindi na kami bulilit.”
“Sobrang thankful ako sa teammates ko dahil hindi kami nag-give up nung dulo. Masaya ako na bumalik kami ng finals after four years,” added Castro.
Castro was instrumental in the victory, finishing with 32 points on 12-of-19 shooting to go along with 15 rebounds and two blocks. And she did this against Irebu, a 6-foot-2 Congolese student-athlete.
After surviving the soon-to-be-named Most Valuable Player, Castro believes that she is now ready to face Animam and Itesi once again.
“Siyempre, si Irebu yung katapat ko na puwera pa sa NU,” shared the fourth-year Lady Tamaraw.
“Yung post-ups ko kanina, preparation na rin yun para sa NU.”
