Kat Tolentino is currently one of the proven prolific scorers in the collegiate scene.
But there’s no denying that she failed to live up to her usual offensive exploits on Saturday.
Tolentino — who breached multiple 30-point thresholds during her recent stint with Choco Mucho in the PVL — only managed six points on a horrendous 5-of-41 attacking rate in the rivalry match between Ateneo de Manila University and the De La Salle University.
It was a tough setback on its own, but all the more heartbreaking since Ateneo lost in deflating fashion.
Still, the 25-year-old Tolentino gave it to La Salle for plotting a successful defensive scheme that made things hard for the Lady Eagles throughout the match.
“It’s same the same La Salle team that I always play. They have a good block and defense, they know exactly where we’re going to hit,” the 6-foot-1 Filipino-Canadian admitted.
“For me, I mean, they clearly scouted us a lot better.”
Nonetheless, Tolentino sees the silver lining, believing that the downfall will only help her and the rest of the Lady Eagles learn and grow in the long run.
“I think we just were a little more impatient, so we have to learn,” she pointed out.
“For me, I’ll learn to have more patience in my hitting and focus on focus on that first.”
Tolentino also stuck to the positives.
In the thick of the heated and tension-filled match against their bitter rivals, Faith Nisperos displayed maturity beyond years, taking charge for Ateneo with a team-high 13 points. Jho Maraguinot also got into a groove for the Lady Eagles with nine markers, which could make the difference for the rest of the season.
“I really saw the fight in the team. I saw how badly we wanted it, and I could see that we do have the skill,” she pointed out.
“The second set was really good to see, and I’m just happy with the way that other people performed from the team. And the way that they were able to help us a lot.”
