FORMER UAAP women’s basketball MVP Eka Soriano views Season 87 as a chance to prove herself as one of the league’s top players after a season marred by injuries.
The seasoned guard pushed through an injury during the UAAP 3×3 tournament in 2023 before choosing to undergo surgery in June of that year. After encountering complications during her recovery, she required another surgery this May.
After dedicating her offseason to recovery, Soriano feels ready to showcase her skills once again on the UAAP stage.
“After injury, talagang finocus ko lang kung ano ‘yong gusto sa akin ipagawa ng mga coaches,” Soriano said after the Tigresses’ match against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday.
Following her MVP win in Season 85, Soriano’s performance dipped in UAAP Season 86 due to persistent ankle issues, limiting her to 6.71 points and 5.36 assists per game during the elimination round, and 5.68 points and 4.47 assists in the Final Four.
This contrasted sharply with her MVP season in Season 85, when she averaged 14.36 points, 6.29 rebounds, 7.14 assists, and 3.71 steals.
In her latest outing, she scored 12 points and dished out seven assists, numbers nearly similar to her MVP form. She said she had been advised by coaches heading into the season to not have ghosts of her past pressure her.
“[Sabi nila sa akin,] huwag mong isipin ‘yong Season 85 at Season 86; magsimula ka ulit sa Season 87 nang panibago.
Fortunately for Soriano, she doesn’t have to shoulder the entire burden, as Kent Pastrana and Tacky Tacatac combined for 34 points and six 3-pointers in the Tigresses’ win against Ateneo.
Additionally, UST’s bench significantly outperformed Ateneo’s, scoring 32 points to their seven.
The UST Growling Tigresses will look to maintain their flawless start on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 1:30 p.m., as they square off against the Adamson University Lady Falcons. Rafael Paolo P. Salaya with reports from Venerando P. Pagaduan VII
