Stepping inside the UST Growling Tigresses’ practice was exactly how you would imagine it. Tensions were high. Coaches were breaking down each player’s move, telling them what they did wrong 99% of the time. The players were hounding each other on offense and equally, if not more, on defense. The entire gym was shaking with players going at game speed.
For a second, I thought I was watching a live game at 9AM at a seat-less arena. But there was only one team on the floor that morning and at the center of that team was a player wearing practice jersey No. 5 that had an all-too familiar grin on her face.
If you’ve ever watched any UST women’s basketball game, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Kent Pastrana’s grin is a visible switch on her face that can only mean one thing: she is unfazed by the moment. Whether it’s off a bad play or a great one – she’s being patient and mindful; and already working out the next play in her head.
Her teammates turn the ball over? Grin on. They convert on an and-one play? Grin on. Miscommunication on defense? Grin on. Game-tying three-pointer? Grin on.
“Kapag ginagawa ko siya, mas hindi naapektuhan ‘yung laro ko. If magagalit kasi ako, mas hindi ako makaka-focus. So ‘pag may mali kaming ginawa, konting smile lang, tignan natin if babawi sila, sa offense naman konting celebration lang then focus na ulit sa defense,” said Kent with the same grin.
GRIN OFF
There came a time where Kent’s grin was wiped off completely. The moment the final buzzer rang in Game 3 of the Season 87 Women’s Basketball Finals, the undaunted walls of Kent Pastrana was broken down. The patience ran out, mindfulness was irrelevant, the next play was never going to happen. Only frowns could be seen on her and her teammates’ faces. Tears were falling down where Kent’s grin used to be while she watched the NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate their eighth title in nine seasons.
The Tigresses fell short of a back-to-back title that season and Kent’s been counting the days ever since.
“It’s been nine months, mag-10 months na in October…nung moment talaga na ‘yun, sobrang nasaktan ako, sobrang nalungkot ako. Ilang araw, weeks ko talaga dinama ‘yung moment na ‘yun. Pagkatapos nun, tinanong ko talaga ‘yung mga coaches ko ano pa kaya ko i-improve at ‘yun wino-work on ko [this past summer],” she said.
UST lost a total of four games in Season 87, the Finals included. All of them at the hands of the Lady Bulldogs. With that at the back of her mind, Kent was quick to work on getting back her grin and the Tigresses back to where they were nine months prior, only this time with a different type of focus.
“Coming into this season, ‘yung mindset ko is hindi dapat ganun-ganun lang or okay-okay lang kahit nagkakamali. Thankful ako sa teammates ko, masunurin sila, alam nila kung ano dapat ‘yung i-adjust kapag sinabihan sila. Excited na ako for this season.”
GRIN ON
Before getting to a full season of college of hoops however, Kent had a timely, albeit not-so-easy decision to make when the national team came calling. Despite the risks it might have had on her redemption season preparations, it was only a matter of time before she got to temporarily trade in her black and gold threads for some royal blue ones.
“Una kong nalaman may chance ako maglaro sa Gilas kay Coach Haydee [Ong]. Hindi ko alam ano mararamdaman ko…syempre priority ko ‘yung UST kasi ito muna, maglalaro pa ako sa UAAP…syempre may risks rin siya, pero alam mo ‘yung sobrang tagal ko nang nag-antay mag-compete sa international [competition]. Sinabi naman ni coach na marami rin ako matututunan pag naglaro ako sa Gilas. Marami akong mage-gain na experience na ma-apply ko rin sa sarili ko sa UAAP,” she said.
“Thankful talaga ako kay coach at sa Gilas na binigyan ako ng opportunity na makalaro,” she added.
To even think of a version of Kent Pastrana with international experience under her belt should give defenders around the league a cold chill at the back of their necks. The fact that it’s actually happening? I feel concerned for whoever has to edit and go through her highlight reel. But I hope they get her grin on there too.
FINAL FIRSTS
At the time of writing, Kent and UST dropped 105 points in their first game of Season 88. It was the most points scored by any team across all divisions this season, on a 49-point win against La Salle. It was game number one.
I was fortunate enough to cover that game from the broadcast panel so I had front-row seats to see Kent’s grin return to the UAAP. She picked her rookie teammates up with it every time they made rookie mistakes, had a big grin during each and every one of UST’s 32 assists, and kept it on when she chipped in a cool double-double and inserted herself in a couple of passing lanes while at it. Kent finished Game 1 of 14 with 11 points, 11 dimes, and 4 steals.
This was Kent’s final first game in the UAAP. She’s very much aware of that and she’s taking every opportunity she can to bring that grin to every game and, ultimately, back to the stage where it lights up the most.
“Syempre, tinuturing ko na kapatid ko na talaga sila. Dahil last playing year ko na, every minute na makakasama kami, kailangan sulitin ko na ‘yung pagsasama namin. Araw-araw pinaparamdam nila na mami-miss nila kami [seniors], nalulungkot rin naman kami ‘pag ganun.”
“Kailangan panindigan ko talaga ‘yung promise ko [sa team], ‘yung promise ko kay Coach Haydee at sa pamilya ko na bibigyan ko ng championship ‘yung UST habang nandito ako at magbigay ng magandang ending sa UAAP career ko.”
Sixteen wins is the golden number to chase a UAAP crown. Kent and UST are still 15 away, but regardless of the season’s outcome, she still hopes the fans and her teammates remember the one thing she takes the most pride in.
“Sana maalala nila ako bilang Kent Pastrana na ‘pag naglalaro, kahit matalo, kahit malamangan, nandun pa rin ‘yung composure. Kahit anong results, kahit anong nangyayari sa loob ng court, may konting smile lang.”
