By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana is set to make her Gilas Pilipinas national women’s volleyball team debut in two crucial international tournaments next month.

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses standout is lined up to play for the Philippine squad in the William Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan and the FIBA Asia Cup in China.

“First of all, thankful ako kay [UST] Coach Haydee Ong kasi pinayagan niya ako na maglaro dito sa Gilas and, of course, malaking opportunity and experience ang makukuha ko dito sa Gilas kasama ‘yung mga beterano,” Pastrana said.

“Siguro malaking opportunity na ‘yung tiwala nila sa akin nandyan kahit gaano na katagal na kinukuha nila ako, inantay pa rin nila ako na makapaglaro ako sa Gilas,” she said.

“Of course, thankful ako na binigyan ulit ako ng opportunity na makapaglaro ako dito sa Gilas kasi pangarap ko [ito]. Ito na ‘yung step na malaking opportunity itong makukuha ko lalo na sa last playing year ko sa UAAP,” she further said.

Gilas Pilipinas women’s head coach Patrick Aquino is hoping that Pastrana’s inclusion in the national team will mark the beginning of more UAAP stars stepping up for the national team.

“Very happy ako like Kent, of course. I’ve been eyeing her for the longest time already, and being permitted by — thank you to Coach Haydee for allowing her. Hopefully, more players to come, especially — that’s why we’re having UAAP, for the national team,” Aquino said.

“With that movement right now, hopefully, it gets bigger, and it will be better for the UAAP. More competition, great competition coming up. Dati sasabihin puro [National University] lang, pero now may UST, may Ateneo, may [Far Eastern University], and then La Salle, of course, is still there. Sana dumami pa ‘yung magpo-produce na players for national team,” he added./ASC, WDJ