AFTER CAPTURING their first crown in 17 years last season, the UST Growling Tigresses are locked and loaded to embrace the pressure accompanying a title defense bid in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament.
The Tigresses, who went from being consistent contenders to champions, face intense pressure from rival squads eager to seize their throne.
But despite the challenges and team changes, head coach Haydee Ong saw value in being under pressure.
“Even when you’re not the defending champion, you’re not the champion, there’s always a pressure on your back, so we embrace that,” Ong said in an interview with The Flame.
“As they say, ‘pressure is a privilege,’ so we just need to change our mindset… Change our pressure into a positive emotion and energy,” she added.
With the departure of two core pieces—Finals MVP Tantoy Ferrer and guard Nikki Villasin, Ong will rely on five rookies, three of which came from UST’s high school program.
Former junior Tigresses point guards Gin Reliquette, Karylle Sierba and Jaja Pescador and Pampanga native Bre Pineda are among the rookies set to join the team this season.
The seasoned veterans and new paws are now faced with the challenge of sustaining a momentum that allowed their team to claw back at the top of the podium for the first time since 2006.
Setting example
Winning the title transformed the team’s dynamics. Season 86 Athlete of the Year Kent Pastrana, Season 85 MVP Eka Soriano and outgoing veteran Tacky Tacatac, who made last season’s historic run possible, have taken leadership roles.
Pastrana, an offensive powerhouse who averaged 17.64 points, 5.64 rebounds and 2.29 assists for UST, remained steadfast in her belief that the team’s championship experience would be crucial for them to stay on top.
“As the defending champions, every team will be aiming to take us down. I think Season 87 will be even more exciting, and we’re motivated because we have something to prove,” Pastrana told The Flame.
“It’s like our confidence as a team got boosted and our strategies on the court improved in how we use our skills,” she added.
Meanwhile, Soriano, who suffered an ankle injury last season, emphasized the adjusted responsibilities of the veterans with the new team dynamics and expectations.
“For veterans… it’s easier in a way for the newcomers, they are not that hard to guide and teach…You must support them with what they can give,” Soriano said.
“The training is more difficult, because of course, the level of the game is different and it’s a new lineup.”
Junior guard Brigette Santos acknowledged the importance of setting a standard that the rookies should aspire to follow.
“After the championship, it was easier for us because we already have the knowledge, as if we knew the system of how to do it,” Santos said. “So all we have to do is guide the newcomers, the rookies. And they are not that difficult to teach, they are very adaptable,” Santos said.
Even with the Tigresses having a largely intact lineup, Pastrana recognized the weight of her impact beyond her scoring prowess, especially for the fresh paws.
“After the championship game, I feel like I learned how to be a leader and how to guide them with experience, which motivates us to keep improving and defending the title, pushing the team to work even harder in the next season,” she said.
“Coach always tells me to set the tone… to lead by example on the court because the standard of our game starts with me. As a senior, the rookies and younger players look up to me, so I need to show them how it’s done.”
No room for slack
While the Tigresses managed to end the seven-year reign of the NU Lady Bulldogs in December last year, Soriano sees no reason for the team to look back and relax.
“We are more disciplined now compared to before… Since we’ve made it this far, we can’t afford to let it slip away, so there’s no room for relaxation,” she said. “We need to practice with the same determination to avoid complacency,” the former MVP said.
As the new season draws near, the 5-foot-7 winger Pastrana said the defending champion could create a lasting legacy by maintaining team chemistry and trust.
“I always tell them that we need to stick together and have confidence. It’s my duty to remind my teammates of the legacy we are building and the importance of staying united to achieve our goal,” she said.
“Winning back-to-back championships would solidify our place in UAAP history. We want to prove that our success wasn’t a one-time event and that we’re capable of maintaining our dominance.”
The Growling Tigreesses will begin their crown defense campaign against the UE Lady Warriors on Sept. 8, Sunday, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. F
