UST roared with pride as Gelo Crisostomo and Kent Pastrana bagged the PSC–Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Season 88 Players of the Week honors for October 8–12.
Tiger power is overwhelming as UST standouts Gelo Crisostomo and Kent Pastrana were hailed as PSC–Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Season 88 Players of the Week for October 8–12 for men’s and women’s basketball, respectively.
Crisostomo delivered his best game for the Growling Tigers this tournament, finishing with 18 points and 17 rebounds to help power UST to a historic 98–89 triple overtime win over Ateneo at the Blue Eagle Gym.
It was the breakout outing for the third-year forward, who had averaged just 5.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in his first four games.
“Siyempre masaya ako na nakakatulong ako sa team. Last few games namin, ang pangit nga ng mga laro ko, pero nandito pa rin yung teammates ko na tumutulong sa akin na hayaan ko lang yung mga laro ko na pangit basta isipin ko lang yung game plan,” he said.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Defiant UST survives Ateneo in 3OT thriller, grabs share of Season 88 lead]
With the win, UST continued its hot start to the season, sitting at solo second with a 4–1 slate, just behind the league leader NU Bulldogs (5-1).
The Growling Tigers return to action on Wednesday against FEU, aiming to extend their winning streak to three.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | UAAP Season 88 basketball guide, where to watch, highlights, more]
Meanwhile, Kent Pastrana flexed her might in keeping UST as the only unbeaten team left in the women's play.
The Gilas Pilipinas Women guard dropped a stellar 28-point, 11-rebound double-double in the Growling Tigresses’ 75–66 win over two-time reigning MVP Kacey Dela Rosa and Ateneo, improving to a 4–0 record.
Pastrana made her presence felt in the third frame, helping UST overturn a 41–35 halftime deficit into a 56–45 advantage en route to handing the Blue Eagles their first loss of the tournament.
“Kung kailan ako kailangan pumasok and mag-step up, dun ako papasok as a leader. Kailangan ako mag-step up dun sa time na kailangan ako ng mga teammates ko,” she bared in the post-game press conference.
The Growling Tigresses will face an FEU side coming off a 94–66 rout of UP tomorrow, Oct. 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | UAAP Season 88 basketball guide, where to watch, highlights, more]
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.