GROWLING TIGRESSES’ main gunner Kent Pastrana is set to showcase her stripes on the international stage as she suits up for the Gilas Pilipinas Women for the first time in her basketball career.
Pastrana, a member of the UAAP Season 87 Mythical Five, will be part of the national team that will compete in the prestigious FIBA Women’s Asia Cup slated for July 13 to 20 in Shenzhen, China.
“I’m very happy that the Philippines gave me the opportunity and of course, Coach Haydee [Ong] for giving me the chance to compete with the other teams internationally,” Pastrana told The Flame.
“I’m so blessed, so thankful to God… out of the many basketball players in the Philippines, I was one of the chosen ones,” she added.
As one of the new additions to the squad piloted by head coach Pat Aquino, the 5-foot-7 winger said she had a difficult time adjusting early into the team’s composition.
“In my first practice, I had a hard time because I didn’t know yet… they’ve been together since last year,” she said.
Pastrana, however, expressed her gratitude for the hands-on guidance of her coaches and veteran teammates, which helped her quickly adapt to the Gilas system.
“Maybe it’s also because of the help of the veterans, they will help me adjust to the system and know what to do… also with the help of the coaches, it’s like they always tell me that this is what you have to do,” she said.
“The veterans always correct me when they see me doing something wrong,” she added.
Gilas will possibly miss the services of veteran players Afril Bernardino, Chack Cabinbin, Janine Pontehos and Andrea Tongco due to clearance issues related to their membership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Despite the shift in the level of competition, Pastrana said that the training is not too different from the collegiate ranks, as it relies more on the coaching system and transition plays against bigger and more experienced matchups.
“Maybe our advantage is that we’re faster, our transition… it is what we need to work on. And of course, there are differences in coaching, but that’s it,” she said.
Bracketed under Group B, Gilas will need to take down powerhouse squads Australia, Japan and Lebanon. The top six teams in the Asian meet will advance to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany.
For Pastrana, donning the national colors is a major boost to her experience and confidence to improve her game.
“When you represent Gilas, it is a big deal. It’s like a huge boost to my morale that I can play internationally… I really want to learn from them because I want to get better, learn more,” she said.
“Not all players are perfect. So, I’m excited that I’ll learn a lot more internationally and, of course, from my teammates.”
With her first nod in the national team, the Thomasian athlete admitted that she feels pressure, but is excited to compete against global talents.
“Maybe what I need to do is focus on what I have to do, look for advantages and listen to what the coaches have to say,” Pastrana said.
“I just need to focus mentally and physically on how I could score, how I could defend… contribute to the team.”
Before the Asian Cup, the squad will see action in the William Jones Cup in Taiwan from July 2 to 6, which will also serve as an opportunity for the team to build chemistry. F
