It took 1,067 days before Pat Pesquera could raise her hands to the heavens once more.
And it felt oh, so sweet.
After 38 games of heartbreak and futility, University of the Philippines finally ended its skid, taking a dramatic 55-52 victory over University of the East, Saturday.
“Na-overwhelm ako. Sobrang saya, siyempre. Understatement ‘yun,” said fifth-year Lady Maroon Pat Pesquera.
“It’s about time.”
UP’s 38-game losing streak was the longest in the collegiate division of the UAAP. And just like their last win, the Lady Maroons needed the heroics of Pesquera in the end.
Back in November 9, 2016, UP was staring at a 43-44 deficit against Far Eastern University with just 16.1 seconds left.
With nothing to lose and only three seconds left, Pesquera unleashed a Hail Mary shot from beyond the arc with 3.1 seconds left to stun the Lady Tamaraws.
Since then, the program of UP had been left behind by the rest of the league.
“It’s been so long. Grabe!”
Though National University has dominated the competition, the rest of the field was still able to make it to at least the Final Four.
The effects of losing game after game took their toll on Pesquera and the Lady Maroons.
“I keep on thinking about all the struggles along the way and ‘yung journey.
“Even si coach Paul [Ramos], alam niya ‘yun, I’m very competitive. Minsan magla-lash out ako sa iba and iisipin ng iba na madali akong magalit o naninigaw, but it’s only because I want to win. Sobrang meticulous ko na. Basta gusto ko lang manalo. I’m sick of losing, but at the same time, naa-accept ko naman ‘yun given all the circumstance,” the BS Physical Education student shared.
With the losses, UP needed a new tactician to take over the program. There came Paul Ramos, who replaced Kenneth Raval during the off-season.
“It’s very important for us to break that barrier. Even if gusto nating sabihin na process ‘yan, the players and the team needs to feel this winning experience again ’cause it’s so hard for them to overcome the fears, the doubts in themselves every time they lose,” the youthful tactician said.
After eight tries, their moment finally arrived.
Pesquera had actually put UP ahead, 52-51, with her bucket down low with 2:11 remaining, but both teams struggled to execute in the endgame.
Princess Pedregosa then drew a foul on Pesquera with 15.1 seconds left, but she could only muster a split to knot the game at 52.
UE had a chance to win the game, but Joyce Terrinal muffed her trey.
With no timeouts left, Pesquera took matters into her own hands.
“Actually simple lang ang naisip ko. When Cindi [Gonzales] got the ball, I wanted it in my hands. Chineck ko ‘yung time, three seconds left, isip ko kaya pa naman. Alam ko naman na ibabato ko ‘yun, although ‘di ko naman pinapractice ‘yun,” she recalled.
“Alam ko na kaya kong ibato yung bola and hoped for the best.”
Not able to make it to halfcourt, Pesquera had no other choice but to throw a long heave.
The shot went in. Prayer answered.
It was a shot not just for Pesquera nor just for this batch of Lady Maroons. For Pesquera, it was for every Iska who suited up for UP.
“Mas meaningful ito para sa akin kasi hindi lang naman para dito sa grupo namin. Pati rin para sa previous teammates ko, para sa amin itong lahat. Ito ‘yung common struggle namin, na manalo,” she expressed.
“Para sa amin ‘yun lahat, kaya sobrang saya talaga.”
