Haydee Ong has come full circle.
Ong was the lead guard of UST’s women’s basketball team that won four straight UAAP titles from Seasons 50 to 53.
And today, she has delivered the crown back to España.
The former national team head coach, who only came back home to UST back in 2016, was lost for words as her long odyssey finally ended on Wednesday.
“This will go down for the books, especially for UST. The last time we had our championship was 2006,” said Ong.
Ong also previously coached Ateneo from 2008 to 2015.
During that time, Ong saw the rise of the National University women’s program.
From season 77, the Lady Bulldogs have been the gold standard in the sport – not only winning championships, but also developing future national team stalwarts.
“I think that says a lot to the level that NU raised the bar for women’s basketball seven times.
“Seven consecutive years as champions is one hell of a program for them. Beating them today and never giving up, I think that says a lot about these special ladies that they deserve to be champions for Season 86,” shared Ong.
It needed a special team to knock off the Lady Bulldogs from their throne. And that was this batch of Growling Tigresses.
Reigning MVP Eka Soriano took a back seat for former DLSU Lady Archer Kent Pastrana.
Tantoy Ferrer and Tacky Tacatac provided stability to the young Tigresses.
Moreover, it was Nikki Villasin proving her pedigree that became the kicker – she made the title-clinching bucket in Game Three.
“I’m telling you, hindi ako makatawid ng bola sa NU,” said Ong. “Ang lamang nila parati sa akin, 70, 80, but I never gave up. Sabi ko, I will start the program for UST and that this is a long journey.
“We were three or four years behind, sinabi ko sa mga pari and you have to trust the program, the system, and finally the long wait is over. Ang sarap ng feeling especially as coach.”
After ending NU’s reign, UST now has a target on its back.
And there will be no rest as the Growling Tigresses will now be hunted for their crown.
“Maraming madadagdag. There are high school players coming up as well,” she said, already plotting how to keep the crown.
“Ang mawawala lang sa akin sila Tantoy at si Nikki. Hopefully, yung mga papalit ay makakatulong ulit sa team next season.”
