Even with a resume that already reads like a career’s worth of accomplishments, Rhianne Perez remains unsatisfied, choosing not to rest on her awards but to dream even bigger and push even farther.
A Rookie of the Year, Elite Team member, and Season 87 champion, Perez took things up a notch in the UAAP Season 88 High School Girls’ Basketball Tournament.
She claimed Most Valuable Player honors, earned another Elite Team nod, and steered the University of Santo Tomas to a second straight championship over the National University Nazareth School.
At just 17 years old, Perez has quickly cemented herself as the face of the Junior Growling Tigresses’ growing dynasty — one that has captured all three UAAP girls’ basketball championships. But for her, the journey is far from over.
The Iloilo native measures her growth not by individual accolades, awards, or statistics, but by the path paved by someone close to her at España: Gilas Pilipinas Women guard Kent Pastrana.
“Napakalaking inspiration nila lahat ng college players namin kasi every time na nagta-training kami, tinutulungan nila kami maging better pa. Tsaka marami kaming knowledge na nakukuha sa kanila sa grupo nila Ate Kent, hindi lang sa loob ng court, pati na rin sa labas ng court,” Perez said after leading UST to a title-clinching Game Two victory over NUNS, Sunday afternoon at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Despite still having years left in the girls’ division, Perez already aspires to emulate Pastrana, whom she fondly calls a great role model and ‘Ate’ both on and off the court.
Pastrana’s UAAP career is nothing short of historic. In all four UAAP seasons, the 25-year-old forward made the Mythical 5 — now called the Elite Team — each time: once with La Salle in Season 82, where she also won Rookie of the Year, and three times with UST from Seasons 86 to 88.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
She played a pivotal role in UST’s Season 86 championship run, settled for silver in Season 87, and concluded her UST journey with a Season 88 title and Finals MVP honors, dropping only one game across the season.
For a young athlete like Perez, it’s easy to admire Pastrana’s accolades. But the Season 88 MVP and Finals MVP wants to emulate her Ate’s career not solely for the achievements, but in a mission to become the leader and person she has grown to be.
“Si Ate Kent, isa talaga siya sa lino-look up ko. Kung paano siya maglaro, tsaka yung character niya outside the court na kahit gaano kataas yung maabot niya, parang isa rin siyang mabuting tao pa rin,” Perez expressed, who averaged 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks across the two-game series.
“Sana balang araw, maging tulad ko rin siya kasi magandang example talaga siya.”
As she continues her path to replicate the standard set by Pastrana, Perez does not have to look far for guidance.
Right within her fold is Arsenio Dysangco, the Junior Growling Tigresses head coach and lead deputy of Haydee Ong on the Growling Tigresses, whose impact on her growth extends far beyond the court.
“Super thankful kami na may coach kami tulad ni Coach Sen dahil yung mga bagay na hindi matuturo sa amin sa basketball, tinuturo niya. Hindi lang sa basketball, pati rin sa totoong buhay namin,” Perez said.
“Super proud din ako sa team namin ngayon, kasi kahit anong challenges ibigay sa amin, nalagpasan namin dahil siguro tinuruan kami ni Coach Sen na maging matapang tsaka maging strong enough para lumaban at para makuha rin namin yung mga pinaghirapan namin.”
