For a third consecutive season, University of the Philippines remained in contention for a championship, anchored by a core that consistently sets the standard for its play.
Last season, the Fighting Maroons leveraged their offensive firepower and well-oiled system to reach yet another Finals series. But when one crucial weapon was missing at the wrong time, the squad eventually surrendered another title to the Adamson Lady Falcons.
A key part of that offensive arsenal was smart, strategic baserunning, delivered by then-second-year outfielder Angel Pascual. She would go on to claim the Most Stolen Bases award, complementing the hitting and slugging of her captain and eventual MVP, Nickole Dela Cruz.
Pascual’s skills, paired with her strong defensive performance, caught the attention of national team coaches, including Adamson head coach Ana Santiago, a two-time Finals opponent. Days after the Season 87 Finals, Pascual was training with the Blu Girls.
Her debut with the national squad was a roller-coaster ride, culminating in her first-ever SEA Games gold in women’s softball and the country’s 11th straight. Pascual described the experience as both challenging and rewarding.
(C) SEA Games
“Yung rookie time ko sa national team, hindi siya naging gano’n kadali kasi mas bata ka, tapos makikipagsabayan ka sa mga veterans,” the Secondary Education junior shared.
“Mahirap makipagsabayan, pero at the same time, masaya siya kasi nga ibang level na ‘yon. Mahirap siya na masaya kasi ang dami kong natutunan.”
The Blu Girls also competed in the Women’s Asia Cup, and while the Philippines’ level of play is high, Santiago always reminded her players to stay grounded and approach every game with full effort.
Pascual has carried that lesson into her third year with UP.
“Siguro ‘yung pagiging determinado kasi kapag sa national team, kailangang palaban ka. Lahat ng game, dapat laban,” she said.
“Sabi nga ni Coach Ana, walang i-easy-hing kalaban. Lahat — mahina man o malakas — kailangang pinaghahandaan, kasi do’n mo talaga makikita na professional kang maglaro. Yung wala kang sinasabihan na, ‘Mahina lang yan; kahit hindi na tayo maghanda.’ Lagi niyang sinasabi sa ‘min na, malakas o mahina ang kalaban, lumaban pa rin ng patas.”
These are the lessons Pascual hopes to bring to the pitch as one of UP’s most experienced student-athletes, both as a third-year and as a Blu Girl.
“Siguro ‘yung masasabi ko lang na kahit gaano kahirap ‘yung training, mentally and physically, hindi ka dapat sumuko. Kasi at the end of the day, sarili mo lang rin talaga ‘yung kakampi mo sa lahat and makakatulong sa’yo,” the Bulakenya standout added.
After a rousing win against Ateneo de Manila University to start the season, Pascual hopes UP will continue refining its game and showing up fully on the pitch, maintaining the high level it achieved over the past three years.
“Looking forward, gusto kong makita ‘yung pinaghandaan ng UP team, kasi talagang naghanda naman kami. Siyempre, gustong makita na mailabas namin ‘yung pinaghandaan namin,” she said.
“Marami na kasing aalis sa amin, so gusto kong makita na maibigay namin ‘yung full best namin.”
