Former UST Growling Tigresses captain and multi-time UAAP champion Kent Pastrana has been included in the Gilas Pilipinas Women national team pool for the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament scheduled from Aug. 17 to 23 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The tournament will mark Pastrana’s third stint with the national team after representing the Philippines in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup and the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament.
The 26-year-old guard averaged 7.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists during the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in France last March.
Pastrana wrapped up a decorated collegiate career with UST in May after leading the Growling Tigresses to the UAAP Season 88 women’s 3×3 basketball title, where she also earned Most Valuable Player honors.
She also spearheaded UST’s successful title reclamation in the UAAP 5×5 tournament and was named Finals MVP.
She joins a lineup headlined by veterans Jack Animam, Afril Bernardino and Vanessa De Jesus under newly appointed Canadian coach Burke “BT” Toews.
Also named to the pool are Janine Pontejos, Sophia Dignadice, Tin Cayabyab, Angel Surada, Kacey Dela Rosa, Jhaz Joson and Louna Ozar.
Reigning UAAP MVP Ann Pingol, Camille Malagar, Monique Del Carmen, Alyssa Rodriguez, Jaz Salon and Tiffany Reyes are also in line to make their senior national team debuts.
The tournament champion will secure a spot in the 2028 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament scheduled for February next year. Charles Martin A. Manalang
