Defending champion University of Santo Tomas’ quest to retain the UAAP women’s basketball crown may have encountered a setback, but Growling Tigresses star Kent Pastrana remains optimistic about their chances to secure back-to-back titles.
UST held a 14-point lead in the second half but faltered in the final stretch of Game 1 in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Finals.
A crucial go-ahead basket by Cielo Pagdulagan sealed a 72-71 victory for their opponents, leaving the Tigresses to regroup in the best-of-three series.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Pastrana emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and learning from their mistakes.
Her critical miscues in the final moments overshadowed what had otherwise been a stellar performance.
The 5-foot-7 winger tallied 22 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists but missed a potential game-winning shot.
She then had another attempt blocked by Angel Surada before committing a costly traveling violation with under 40 seconds remaining.
“Siguro yung panalo, hindi pa para sa amin. Challenge rin ito and marami kami natutunan sa game na ito, hindi pa naman tapos yung laban. Kailangan namin aralin kung ano yung mga mali and let’s see sa second game,” Pastrana shared post-game.
“Kung ano yung mali ko, yun yung aaralin ko. Ang dami ko pa need i-improve and siguro as a team, marami kaming mistakes na nangyari kanina.”
She admitted, “Ayon ang kailangan namin i-adjust and mahaba pa naman, may last two games pa. ‘Yon yung mindset and mentality namin ngayon – last two games pa, hindi pa tapos yung laban at lalaban pa rin kami.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Head coach Haydee Ong stood firm in her support of Pastrana, highlighting her significant contributions and leadership despite the late-game struggles.
Ong praised the former De La Salle University standout for her efforts in pushing UST to the brink of victory and ending National University’s 14-game winning streak.
“Alam na ni Kent kasi yung mga gagawin sa kanya, expected na niya ‘yan. What’s nice kay Kent ngayon is she only had three turnovers, pero yung mga tira na dapat na-shoot, hindi na-shoot,” Ong explained.
The Growling Tigresses came tantalizingly close to stealing the win, with graduating shooter Tacky Tacatac getting a clean look for a game-winning three-pointer off Pastrana’s assist.
However, the shot narrowly missed, leaving UST with a chance to bounce back in Game 2.
“Nothing to be ashamed of. Breaks of the game. Yung last play namin, it was really made for Tacky. It was a good shot. Unfortunately, nag-miss kami, [but] it was a good miss,” Ong said.
“Nothing to be ashamed of, the girls did very well. I’m so proud of them. Balik kami uli sa Game 2 and hopefully, manalo kami.”
