After achieving much in the collegiate scene with UST, Kent Pastrana eyes greatness with the Philippines across her chest.
Kent Pastrana is taking a crucial step in her career as she is slated to be part of the Gilas Pilipinas women national team for the first time ever, gaining clearance from the UST Growling Tigresses.
Pastrana, who is part of the 20-woman pool for Gilas in the upcoming William Jones Cup and the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, is one of the exciting new additions along with FEU’s Yvette Villanueva, in bolstering a World Cup seeking Philippines side.
For the two-time UAAP Mythical Team member, she is looking forward to representing something bigger than UST, and is happy to take in all the experiences she can to grow as a player in the international stage.
“Sobrang excited po kasi yun nga, alam mo yung mare-represent 'yung bansa mo and makakapaglaro ka sa international. Of course, malaking experience siya for me as a rookie sa Gilas,” Pastrana said during the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup trophy tour press conference in Pasay on Monday.
“Excited and happy ako na binigyan ako ng opportunity na ganto na makapaglaro and makapagcompete sa ibang bansa.”
Gilas women head coach Pat Aquino raved about Pastrana’s addition, and was very much thankful to UST for letting the UAAP champion join the national team. As more and more universities produce national team talent, Aquino believes that the future is bright.
“Of course, very happy ako. Like Kent, of course, I’ve been eyeing her for the longest time already and being permitted by UST, thank you to coach Haydee [Ong] for allowing her to play and hopefully more players to come especially from the schools. That’s why they’re having the UAAP. For the national team. I think that states everything,” said Aquino.
“With that movement, right now, hopefully it gets bigger and it would be better for the UAAP, more competition, great competition coming up and not just, dati, sabihin mo puro NU lang, pero now diba may UST, may Ateneo, may FEU, and then La Salle, of course, still there. Sana dumami pa yung magproduce ng players for the national team.”
Pastrana’s inclusion is a big help as the team is currently in danger of losing some of its veteran players due to problems with clearance with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
[RELATED: AFP enlisted Gilas players in danger of missing Jones Cup, FIBA Women’s Asia Cup]
Apart from Pastrana and Villanueva, UP’s Louna Ozar, Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa, and NU’s Angel Surada are among the active collegiate players that are part of the Gilas women team.
The Filipina cagers are in deep preparation for the Jones Cup and mroe importantly, the Women’s Asia Cup slated in Taiwan and China, respectively.
In the Women’s Asia Cup, the Gilas women stand a chance of qualifying for the FIBA Women’s World Cup if they finish in the Top 6 of the tournament. The Women’s Asia Cup will only have eight teams competing in two groups of four.
Gilas needs to finish third in their group to qualify for the World Cup scheduled to take place in Germany next year.