KENT Pastrana stepped into University of Sto. Tomas’ last press conference of UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball pained by championship heartbreak.
A hat-trick of Mythical Five selections is more than enough to solidify the 24-year-old Negrense hotshot’s stature as one of the game’s best.
READ: Brewing NU-UST rivalry elevates UAAP women's hoops to new heights
But even the best fall, and break down, sometimes.
“Sobrang proud lang ako sa mga kasama ko kasi lumaban kami hanggang dulo,” a crestfallen Pastrana said.
“‘Di ko pa matanggap [na hindi ko natupad] lalo na ‘yung promise ko kay Tacky [Tacatac] na bibigyan ko siya ng magandang exit.
“Kahit rookies sila, kahit dehado kami, pinakita nila ‘yung tapang nila na ilaban ‘yung UST kaya sobrang thankful ako sa mga teammates ko at coaches na lumaban hanggang dulo.”
Family is everything
An unfulfilled promise leaves Pastrana with a rather easy choice to play out her final year of eligibility with the Growling Tigresses to complete unfinished business.
“Babalik po ako,” Pastrana vowed.
“Babalik ako para kay coach [Haydee Ong] kasi meron pa kong gustong itupad and i-prove sa sarili ko. ‘Yung mga taong hindi naniniwala sa’min, gusto kong ipakita sa kanila kung ano ‘yung UST.
“Gusto kong bumawi.”
Beyond one promise lies a bigger reason behind her staying.
It’s because for Pastrana, UST is family. And family is everything.
“Sa dami ng pinagdaanan namin ngayong year, pinaramdam namin sa isa’t isa na buo kami. Pinaramdam namin na family kami sa team, hindi lang ‘yung teammates namin," she continued.
As Pastrana puts it, “Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na nandyan sila palagi sa likod mo, manalo o matalo, para i-motivate ka.”
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