MANILA – Ilongga basketball player Ana Mae Tacatac is not contented with fulfilling her dream of playing for the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses as she aspires to achieve the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s basketball’s big chip.
The Tigbauan, Iloilo native and the Golden Tigresses were close to attaining the goal in UAAP Season 82 women’s basketball finale in 2019 but were overpowered by perennial champions National University Lady Bulldogs.
According to Tacatac, she is confident the Golden Tigresses have what it takes to match up with the Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 84 this year with a much-improved lineup.
“Daku chansa namun nga makalab-ot sa UAAP finals kay may ara kami coaches nga very passionate nga ginaubra gid tanan para sa improvement kang team namun,” Tacatac said in an interview with Iloilo Sports LANG.
“As players, we also do our responsibilities. Gabuligay gid kami para malab-ot namun ang goal namun next season,” the cager added.
Tacatac was a former standout of Tigbauan National High School before she was recruited to play for the Golden Tigresses by assistant coach Joan “Ford” Alcala Grajales, who hails from neighboring Guimbal town.
In her young UAAP career, Tacatac made headlines when she drained eight three-point conversions for a career-best 31 points in Golden Tigresses’ 82-60 win over Ateneo Lady Eagles in UAAP Season 81 on Nov. 7, 2018.
The Ilongga cager also made her presence felt in UAAP Season 82 when she nabbed nine steals to go along with 15 points in UST’s 72-40 triumph over the University of the Philippines on Oct. 16, 2019.
“That game against Ateneo was one of my memorable games so far in the UAAP,” said Tacatac, who now serves as the team captain of the Golden Tigresses.
“I just hope to have more memorable games with UST,” she added. “I am really thankful that I was recruited to play for UST. It was dream come true for me to be able to play in Manila. But I also want to win an UAAP title.” /PN
