UST STALWARTS Gelo Crisostomo and Kent Pastrana stood out in the third week of the UAAP Season 88 basketball tournament, earning Collegiate Press Corps Player of The Week nods in their respective divisions.
Forward Crisostomo delivered a solid performance in the Tigers’ lone game this week to earn his first Player of the Week award.
The 6-foot-5 stretch big dropped an 18-point, 17-rebound double-double, helping UST take down Ateneo in the historic triple overtime thriller, 98-89, at the Blue Eagles Gym on Oct. 11.
Crisostomo did not crumble in the clutch as he contributed nine huge points throughout the extra periods.
“I’m really happy that my teammates still trust me… They always tell me to keep focusing on the game,” Crisostomo told The Flame.
The Cagayan-native outclassed fellow teammates Nic Cabañero and Collins Akowe, UP’s Rey Remogat, Harold Alarcon and NU’s Jake Figueroa for the weekly achievement.
UST sits in second place with a 4-1 slate as the end of the first round nears.
In the women’s division, Growling Tigress captain Kent Pastrana took the award a week after teammate Oma Onianwa won the plum.
The 5-foot-7 senior steered UST past Ateneo with 28 points and 11 rebounds, keeping the Tigresses unblemished with a 4-0 record.
“As a leader, I just told my teammates that we need to step up… I’m thankful that they’re there to contribute when we need them,” Pastrana told The Flame after the Tigresses’ 75-66 victory over the Blue Eagles.
Pastrana bested fellow teammate Brigette Santos, NU’s Tine Cayabyab, Adamson’s Cheska Apag and FEU’s Shemaiah Abatayo.
Crisostomo and Pastrana will look to lead their respective teams as they take on FEU on Wednesday, October 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena. F
