After years of being on the radar of head coach Pat Aquino, Kent Pastrana is officially part of the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s pool.
The University of Santo Tomas standout is ready to make her long-awaited debut for the national team this July in two crucial tournaments — the Jones Cup in Taiwan and the FIBA Asia Cup in China.
For Pastrana, it’s a moment of deep gratitude.
“First of all, thankful ako kay coach Haydee Ong kasi pinayagan niya ako na maglaro dito sa Gilas. And of course, malaking opportunity and experience ang makukuha ko dito sa Gilas kasama yung mga beterano,” said Pastrana, not forgetting to acknowledge her UST mentor.
“Siguro malaking opportunity na yung tiwala nila sa akin nandiyan kahit gaano na katagal na kinukuha nila ako, inantay pa rin nila ako na makapaglaro ako sa Gilas,” she added.
“Of course, thankful ako na binigyan ulit ako ng opportunity na makapaglaro ako dito sa Gilas kasi pangarap ko rin na makapaglaro sa Gilas, and ito na yung step na malaking opportunity itong makukuha ko lalo na sa last playing year ko sa UAAP.”
Pastrana is one of two new additions to the Gilas pool, alongside FEU’s Yvette Villanueva.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Both will be thrown into the fire immediately, with Gilas missing key veterans who are active military personnel — Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, Chack Cabinbin, and Andrea Tongco — who are unavailable for the upcoming tournaments.
The 2024 Jones Cup will run from July 2 to 6 in Taiwan, while the FIBA Asia Cup — serving as a qualifier for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup — will take place from July 13 to 20 in China.
“Nung nalaman namin na wala yung mga beterano, big challenge sa amin and of course, malaking experience yung makukuha namin. Sinasabi nga namin sa sarili namin na mas gagalingan pa namin lalo, magtutulungan kami to play our best and play as a team,” said the three-time UAAP Mythical Team member.
Aquino hopes Pastrana and Villanueva’s entry into the Gilas program will mark the beginning of more UAAP stars stepping up for the national team.
The alignment between Gilas and the UAAP, he says, strengthens both sides.
“Very happy ako like Kent of course, I’ve been eyeing her for the longest time already, and being permitted by… Thank you to coach Haydee for allowing her. Hopefully, more players to come especially — that’s why we’re having UAAP, for the national team,” said the long-time Gilas head coach.
“With that movement right now, hopefully it gets bigger and it will be better for the UAAP. More competition, great competition coming up. Dati sasabihin puro NU lang pero now may UST, may Ateneo, may FEU, and then La Salle of course still there. Sana dumami pa yung magpo-produce ng players for national team.”
#WATCH: Kent Pastrana embraces the big opportunity to finally suit up for Gilas Pilipinas Women 🇵🇭
📹 @justinvalencia/ Tiebreaker Times#WeBelong pic.twitter.com/beeGWfCjyC
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) June 16, 2025
