UST star Kent Pastrana has been nothing short of a revelation for the Growling Tigresses.
In just two seasons with the Tigresses, the 5-foot-7 forward has already earned one championship and two consecutive Mythical Five nods, including a runner-up finish in the Season 87 MVP race.
For UST head coach Haydee Ong, Pastrana is nothing less than a blessing for the team.
“Hulog ng Diyos, ‘di ba? Matagal ulit na magkakaroon ng ganitong player ulit sa UAAP,” Ong said after the Tigresses’ finals-clinching win over Adamson on Dec. 4.
“Actually, lahat naman ‘yong mga players ko na sa UST. Every time nagre-recruit ako, talagang I’m just blessed na pinili nila ‘yong UST.”
This season, Pastrana performed wonders for the Growling Tigresses.
In the stepladder semifinals against Adamson, Pastrana delivered a near triple-double performance with 23 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists, steering UST to their second straight finals appearance.
During the elimination round, Pastrana averaged 15.21 points, 8.36 rebounds, 3.29 assists, and 2.21 steals per game, earning 79.857 statistical points, the second-most league-wide.
However, she struggled in the Tigresses’ first-round game against NU, managing just seven points on 23.1% shooting, though she contributed 10 rebounds.
In the second round, the UST star posted an improved 14 points on 4-for-10 shooting to go along with six rebounds and five assists. However, her efforts weren’t enough to taint the Lady Bulldogs’ perfect record.
Now, as the Tigresses prepare to take on an NU squad fresh off a two-week break earned through their elimination-round sweep, Pastrana is determined to shine against the league’s top squad.
“Ikaw ‘yong mag-umpisa sa hustle, kung saan man sa loob ng court — through defense, offense, or kahit i-encourage mo ‘yong mga kasama mo. I-motivate mo na ‘Ito ‘yong gagawin,’” she said.
“Alam ko naman na lahat ng teammates ko nagtitiwala sa’kin. And grabe rin ‘yong tiwala ko sa teammates ko na makuha pa rin namin ‘yong panalo.”
In the Season 86 finals, Pastrana averaged 15.33 points and 4.00 rebounds while shooting 40.87%. She vowed to contribute in any and every way possible in the rematch against NU.
“Ako na ‘yong mag-facilitate sa mga kasama ko. Siguro do’n ako makakapag-contribute. Hindi man sa points, hindi man sa ano mang aspeto ng basketball. At least naka-contribute ako,” she said.
The UST Growling Tigresses will square off against the NU Lady Bulldogs in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. with reports from Sydney Venice Berba
