KENT Pastrana knows that the pressure is on for her to deliver for La Salle this UAAP Season 82.
After all, that's the reason why the Lady Archers tried their best to secure her services after a stellar run from Silay City.
"Medyo meron eh. Gusto ko talagang manalo at i-akyat ang team namin sa Final Four," she said.
And so far, Pastrana has lived up to the expectations, averaging 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.6 steals, and 1.6 assists.
Hard to believe that the 19-year-old is yet to settle down to the system, joining the squad only for the past three months.
"She did not have enough time to know our schemes on defense, but she is a natural talent and she works hard in practice to improve her game. That's why she is gaining these numbers for the past three games. She's moving towards the right direction," said coach Cholo Villanueva.
Yet she has quickly made her imprint in Taft, and on Saturday, once again poured 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists in their 91-58 trumping of UE.
Pastrana's emergence is a step to the right direction for La Salle, which is rebuilding after the graduations of key cogs and missing out on the playoff bus last season.
"With Camille (Claro) and Khate (Castillo) gone, and also losing Snow (Penaranda) two years ago, we are in a rebuilding phase and it's been a process," admitted Villanueva.
"We have been doing our job in recruiting the best players from high school and those who can fit our system in La Salle. So I think we are going towards the right direction. Right now, the majority of my players are rookies and sophomores and we are still in a rebuilding phase and some of them are just getting their feet wet. But I can say that we are progressing well."
As big of a pressure as it is for Pastrana to deliver, she knows that all she can control is what she can provide for the Lady Archers game-in and game-out.
"Ginagawa ko lang yung best ko para makatulong sa team," she said.
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