University of Santo Tomas’ aspirations of going for back-to-back championships in the UAAP women’s basketball division came crashing down after National University regained the crown with a 78-73 winner-take-all Game 3 victory on Sunday.
Having only played four seasons and with her age still eligible, Growling Tigresses leader Kent Pastrana vowed to come back for Season 88 as they try to reclaim the title.
This comes especially after a subpar performance from Pastrana in the rubber match, where she was limited to just seven points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field, although she managed to secure seven rebounds and seven assists.
In their 72-71 loss in Game 1, she poured in 22 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while in their 78-68 Game 2 triumph, she contributed 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Syempre po babalik po ako. Babalik po para kay Coach Haydee (Ong) kasi meron pa akong gustong tuparin at i-prove sa sarili ko na ayun nga yung mga taong hindi naniniwala sa amin, gusto kong ipakita sa kanila kung ano yung UST and gusto kong bumawi. Gusto kong bumawi,” said Pastrana, one of UST’s leaders along with Tacky Tacatac and Eka Soriano.
“Syempre po kasi gusto ko pong bumawi, gusto kong bumawi sa UST community at sa mga taong naniniwala sa amin.”
Now, an emotional Pastrana looks forward to Season 88, where they will have their entire crew back, with the exception of Tacatac, who had exhausted all of her five playing years.
UST is also expecting a foreign student-athlete to join its team after going all-local this season.
“Sobrang gigil kami na bawiin namin next year. Babawi kami at yun nga ipu-prove namin sarili namin na kahit short kami ngayon, kailangan namin pag-aralan yung mga mali namin, kung saan kami nagkulang and lalaban pa rin kami,” said the Season 82 Rookie of the Year when she was still with De La Salle University.
The Growling Tigresses tried to repeat history when they almost clawed back from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough this time. In the rubber match of the Season 86 Finals, they came back from a 14-point payoff period hole to break NU’s dynasty.
With their relentless effort despite the huge deficit, Pastrana remained proud of their brave stand.
“Proud ako sa kanila. Proud kami sa isa’t isa kasi lumaban kami hanggang dulo kahit yun nga dehado kami, kahit anong challenge na nangyari sa amin lumaban kami.”
#WATCH: Kent Pastrana confirms she’s coming back for her final year at UST. This time, the Tigresses are ready to hunt for the championship! 🐯
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/BEz133s2yQ
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 15, 2024
