After capping off a legendary career with the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP, Kent Pastrana is looking to step out of her comfort zone — quite literally.
The 5-foot-9 winger shared that she is eyeing a professional stint abroad shortly after ending her collegiate career as a Season 88 women’s 3×3 basketball champion on Sunday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque.
“Di ko pa po alam, hopefully overseas po. Sana po makuha and yun nga, kailangan paghirapan, magtrabaho pa po ako para mas mag-improve pa po ako sa laro,” said Pastrana when asked about what’s next for her.
“Siguro, motivated lang ako na magawa ko pa yung mga gusto ko pa sa buhay, lalo na hopefully na maging champion din ako sa pro. And ayun, sipagan ko pa rin kung ano yung kailangan kong gawin. And sa mga taong naniniwala po sa akin, mga tumutulong po, patuloy pa rin ako makikinig sa mas may alam sa akin,” she added.
The 25-year-old pride of Silay City, Negros Occidental had a decorated UAAP career, beginning as a Rookie of the Year winner with De La Salle University in Season 82.
She transferred to UST during the pandemic, a move that eventually turned her into one of the finest athletes to wear the Growling Tigresses jersey.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In her first year with the squad, Pastrana was one of the catalysts in UST’s dynasty-ending championship run in Season 86, toppling seven-time champions National University.
The Growling Tigresses also claimed the 3×3 crown that season to complete a rare “golden double.” History then repeated itself in Pastrana’s final year, as UST reclaimed both basketball titles in Season 88.
“Parang mixed emotions siya. Sobrang saya ko; at the same time, nalulungkot ako kasi iiwanan ko na yung team ko, yung minamahal kong UST. Yun nga, mixed emotions talaga,” Pastrana said after playing her final game in a Growling Tigresses uniform.
Pastrana, along with Erinn Mcalary, Brigette Santos, Karylle Sierba, and Coi Danganan, defeated Far Eastern University in the final, 21-11, to secure UST’s third title in the three-a-side format.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Now setting her sights on an import stint overseas, the Gilas Pilipinas mainstay will carry with her the values and discipline instilled by UST coaches, led by Haydee Ong — principles that helped shape her into a four-time UAAP champion.
“Yun nga, yung pagiging disiplina sa sarili, be humble talaga, maging mabuting tao kahit kanino. Kung sino man yung kaharap mo, matanda man o bata sa’yo, kailangan may respeto ka po sa kanila,” said Pastrana.
“Yung pagmamahal po na binibigay ni Coach Haydee sa amin, yun po yung natutunan ko na sincere na pagmamahal, sincere na pag-aalaga sa amin, and sincere na pagsuporta kahit ano po yung magiging resulta ng laro namin, nandiyan po siya palagi.”
