GROWLING TIGRESSES Kent Pastrana and Eka Soriano may not have initially planned to play for UST, but fate brought them to España to leave their legacy in the UAAP as two-time champions.
UST head coach Haydee Ong recognized the vital roles played by the two graduating seniors as they led the team in their redemption run in Season 88.
“They’re my cornerstone in my team. Without them, it will probably be hard to get another championship,” Ong said after they won the title.
“So, thank you Eka, thank you Kent for leading the team, not only on the court but off the court relationships of the younger members — they’re one family. We play for each other,” she added.
After the Tigresses lost their crown to the Camille Clarin-led NU Lady Bulldogs last season, an emotional Pastrana vowed to return for one more year to regain what they lost.
Pastrana lived up to the challenge as she led the squad to a historic 14-0 elimination round finish, ranking third in the MVP race with 86.643 statistical points built on 16.21 points, 6.79 rebounds and 4.36 assists per game averages.
After their lone defeat in Game 1 of the finals against the former champions, the veteran winger remained set on redemption and dropped 16 points, nine boards and five assists in her last game as a Tigress to reclaim the championship and earn the Finals MVP honors.
“I’m so overwhelmed because it was not my goal to get Finals MVP. My only goal is to get the championship — and this is it. I’m thankful that I was given another destiny by God,” Pastrana told The Flame after their 79-64 victory in the win-or-go-home finals match.
“It’s (the championship) a really big deal for me, especially my last playing year with Eka because we can’t go back to this moment that we’ve waited for and worked on for many years. We sacrificed while we were away from our families,” she said.
Pastrana began her UAAP journey as a Lady Archer in Season 82, where she led them to a 7-7 finish at fifth and bagged the Rookie of the Year award and her first Mythical Five nod.
But certain events steered Pastrana to España after the pandemic. The rest, as they say, was history as she ended her three-year run as a Tigress with two rings and one silver medal finish.
Pastrana notched her first Mythical Five nod as a Thomasian in Season 86, when the Tigresses dislodged the seven-peat Lady Bulldogs and ended a 17-year championship drought in España.
In Season 87, she was a spot behind MVP frontrunner Kacey dela Rosa with 79.857 statistical points.
Tears of joy
Soriano, who was initially poised to play for the FEU Lady Tamaraws, said guiding the Tigresses to another title was the best exit for her decorated UAAP career.
With half a minute left in their final match against NU, Soriano could not help but hold back tears as they relished in the victory that was within their reach.
“Pinipigilan namin ‘yung iyak namin kasi sa two minutes na ‘yun, maraming pwedeng mangyari pa,” Soriano told The Flame.
(We were holding back tears because in the last two minutes, a lot of things could still happen.)
“So nung nakita naming 23 seconds na lang, hindi na namin mapigilan ni Kent kasi sabi ko ‘dai, ito na ‘yun. Ito na lahat ng tinrabaho natin para sa team’ [at] nagbunga lahat ng sakripisyo namin.”
(When Kent and I saw that there were only 23 seconds left, we couldn’t hold back our tears anymore and I told Kent that this is the fruit of everything that we’ve worked for and our sacrifices.)
Soriano was the main woman of the Tigresses in their bronze medal finish in Season 85, where she was hailed as the Season MVP with averages of 14.36 points, 6.29 rebounds and 7.14 assists per game.
However, an ankle injury in the following campaign derailed Soriano, forcing her to play for limited minutes in their championship run.
Soriano ushered the team with 10 markers, five rebounds and six assists in her final game in the UAAP and contributed 7.17 points per game and 4.92 dimes in the eliminations.
“I’m super happy because almost everyone believes that we can only win once against NU. I’m happy because personally, we were able to win again and because we worked hard to get this,” Soriano said.
What’s next?
After closing their collegiate chapter, Pastrana opened her doors to opportunities of entering the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) and gearing up for the national team. However, she remains focused on finishing her degree.
Pastrana and Soriano steered the Tigresses to a silver-medal finish in the inaugural WMPBL tournament after collapsing against the Pilipinas Aguilas in the finals back in April
“WMPBL and Gilas will always be there. My focus now is on graduating. I’ll take the best opportunity that will come,” Pastrana told The Flame.
Soriano also eyes to bring her talents in the WMPBL, which is currently transitioning into a full professional league.
“I’ll just be ready and healthy. I’ll continue to work hard so once I enter WMPBL, I’ll be healthy to play,” the former MVP said. F – with reports from Kurt Andre Mandigma
