Naibalik ang korona sa España!
The glory days are finally back for the UST Growling Tigresses.
After a 17-year drought, the Growling Tigresses are once again the champion in UAAP Women’s Basketball after taking down the NU Lady Bulldogs in a thrilling Game 3 ending.
But more than bringing the crown back to España, Kent Pastrana holds this championship as a promise fulfilled to coach Haydee Ong shortly after she made her move from De La Salle University to UST.
“Siyempre magpapasalamat muna kay coach Haydee kasi grabe 'yung tiwalang binigay niya sa akin,” Pastrana said during the post-game press conference.
“Nag-promise din ako sa kanya kasi talaga bago ako pumasok dito na bibigyan ko siya ng champion. Ito na 'yun. Dream come true na, ito na 'yung binigay ko sa kanya,” she added.
The UAAP Season 82 Rookie of the Year showed her heart throughout Game 3 as she finished with 16 points, 12 of which came in the second half when UST was inching closer and closer into the game.
Pastrana also scored the basket to tie the game at 79-all with less than a minute to go in the game.
She would also grab the crucial rebound which would eventually lead to Nikki Villasin’s game-winning basket.
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“Ginawa namin 'yung best namin kung ano dapat namin gawin, hindi kami sumuko hanggang dulo kasi alam namin na ang panalo nasa dulo naman ng laban,” Pastrana said.
“Forty minutes of hell sabi nga ni coach (Haydee), hangga’t kaya laban, hindi pa tapos ang laban. Magpatuloy hangga't saan mo kaya.”
With Pastrana having two more playing years under Ong’s guidance, it seems that UST is ready to build its dynasty in UAAP Women’s Basketball.
(CF)