An emotional Kent Pastrana vowed to bounce back and reclaim the UAAP women's basketball title in Season 88 when she suits up in her final year for the University of Santo Tomas.

Moments after their 78-73 loss to the NU Lady Bulldogs in Game 3 of the Finals, the 24-year-old Pastrana couldn’t hold back her tears as the Golden Tigresses failed to defend the crown against a familiar foe they had beaten last year.

But the heartbreak also pushed Pastrana to play one more season under head coach Haydee Ong and repay the trust of the entire UST community.

“Siyempre babalik po ako, babalik ako para kay coach Haydee. Kasi meron pa akong gustong tuparin and i-prove sa sarili ko,” said Pastrana.

“'Yong mga taong hindi naniniwala sakin, gusto kong ipakita sa kanila kung ano ‘yong [kayang gawin] ng UST,” she added. “Gusto kong bumawi ulit.”

The shifty guard was also proud of her teammates in their finals run despite being the underdogs against the strong NU side.

“Proud ako sa mga kasama ko kasi lumaban sila hanggang dulo…,” Pastrana continued. 

“As in sobrang proud ako sa ginawa nila, kahit rookie sila, dehado kami pinakita nila ‘yong tapang nila na ilaban ang UST,” she added. “Sobrang thankful ako sa mga teammates ko and sa mga coaches na lumaban hanggang dulo.”  

Despite falling short, Pastrana cherished the bond with her teammates and how special their campaign was throughout the year.

“Siguro sa dami ng pinagdaanan namin… pinaramdam namin na family kami sa loob ng team,

“Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na andyan sila palagi, manalo man o matalo,” she added.

With their gunner Tacky Tacatac graduating, Pastrana is expected to lead the Tigresses’ charge along with rising stars Bridgette Santos and Karylle Sierba.

In Season 86, the pride of Victorias City, Negros Occidental bannered UST with Season 86 Finals MVP Tantoy Ferrer.

In that year, Pastrana was also named as the Female Athlete of the Year in Team Sports and the inaugural Collegiate Press Corps' Women's Basketball Player of the Year plum.