UST superstar Kent Pastrana has had to deal with some mental struggles in her final player year with the Growling Tigresses in UAAP Season 88.
Kent Pastrana is without a doubt the face of the UST Growling Tigresses as they chase a redemption bid in UAAP Season 88, after falling short of the championship against new-age rivals NU Lady Bulldogs in the finals last year.
Pastrana, playing in her final year with UST, has been instrumental in her previous two years in España to scaling new heights for the women’s basketball program.
Now that she continues eyeing for greatness with head coach Haydee Ong and the rest of her teammates, things have been a little more difficult for her personally. Knowing what’s riding on her performance, especially with UST still undefeated, there has been a few hiccups for Pastrana.
After breaking out of a personal slump with 25 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block, and zero turnover in UST’s 104-54 demolition of UP on Wednesday.
Pastrana said that it was all about shaking off her own anxieties.
“Personally, masyado siguro akong nag-ooverthink sa laro ko. And ayun nga, after nung first round, parang inisip ko rin and nag-ano rin ako sa sarili ko kung ano yung mga kailangan ko pang iimprove,” Pastrana said after the game.
“Ayun, kailangan kong maging disiplinado sa loob and maging consistent,” she continued.
Even as Pastrana struggled, UST has been rolling so far in UAAP Season 88, thanks to the offense of other UST stalwarts like Oma Onianwa, Karylle Sierba, Eka Soriano, and rookie Barby Dajao.
But even as others take the brunt of scoring, Pastrana knows that there is still more to fill — especially as one of the team’s leaders.
Leading the charge
One role that is mostly reserved for Pastrana, especially because of her experience, is leading the Tigresses both on and off the court.
Despite being a veteran, Pastrana said that there is still some struggles for her in talking to the team and helping them through the rough patches in Season 88, especially as they keep on the pressure as the only undefeated team left.
But at the end of the day, leadership does become a team effort for Pastrana.
Along with fellow super senior Eka Soriano rallying their teammates to glory, the Growling Tigresses surely have enough experience to go around.
“Yung pagiging leader sa loob, hindi siya madali for me. Dahil din sa mga teammates ko, 'di ako ganon ka nahihirapan dahil dun sa tulong nila, sa mga teammates ko and sa mga coaches na naguguide samin kung ano yung dapat naming gawin,” she said.
Even as they stand undefeated after 10 games, bigger challenges are still up ahead for UST as defending champions NU and two-time MVP Kacey Dela Rosa and Ateneo remain in their schedule.
First, though, they battle contender FEU on Sunday, November 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as they try to extend their win run to 11.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.