By ADRIAN STEWART CO

University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses star Kent Jane Pastrana remains hopeful about their chances to defend their UAAP women’s basketball title despite a narrow 72-71 loss to the National University Lady Bulldogs in Game 1 of the finals.

The Negros Occidental’s Silay City native Pastrana emphasized the importance of staying positive and learning from the mistakes made in their series opener.

“Siguro ‘yung panalo, hindi pa para sa amin. Challenge rin ito, and marami kaming natutunan sa game na ito. Hindi pa naman tapos ‘yung laban,” Pastrana said in a post-game interview.

“Kailangan naming aralin kung ano ‘yung mga mali, and let’s see sa second game,” she said.

“Kung ano ‘yung mali ko, ‘yun ‘yung aaralin ko. Ang dami ko pang need i-improve and siguro, as a team, marami kaming mistakes na nangyari kanina,” she added.

Pastrana, who led all scorers with 22 points in the loss, made a crucial turnover with less than a minute remaining, which ultimately dashed the Growling Tigresses’ hopes of regaining the lead and securing the win.

“‘Yun [mga unforced errors] ang kailangan naming i-adjust, and mahaba pa naman, may last two games pa. ‘Yun ‘yung mindset and mentality namin ngayon — last two games pa, hindi pa tapos ‘yung laban at lalaban pa rin kami,” Pastrana said.

The Growling Tigresses will look to even the series in Game 2 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday afternoon, December 11./ASC, WDJ