DELIVERING the game winner for University of the Philippines to end three years of frustrations, Pat Pesquera has earned the nod as UAAP Player of the Week.
Pesquera’s halfcourt heave lifted the Lady Maroons to an 85-82 victory over the University of the East Lady Warriors, ending a 38-game losing streak.
That got the UP senior the vote over Ange Kouame of Ateneo, Zach Huang of UST, AP Manlapaz of Adamson and fellow State U players Bright Akhuetie and Jun Manzo from print and online media covering the league.
"I wanted it in my hands. Alam ko na kaya ko naman ibato yun and I just hoped for the best," said the graduating winger after her memorable 13-point, 9-rebound, and 3-assist performance to lead the girls from Diliman.
It was also Pesquera who buried the game-winner the last time UP won — a 46-44 victory over FEU in Season 79.
The 23-year-old hopes the win would change the tide for the UP women's basketball program.
"It's been so long. Naiintindihan ko naman kung bakit kami natatalo and ngayon, sa program ni coach Paul (Ramos), we're trying to start yung winning culture dito sa UP," she said.
Ria Nabalan was the first-ever women's basketball player to be given the weekly citation, getting the vote after scoring 40 points in NU's victory over La Salle in Season 81.
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