MANILA — Negrense guard Kent Jane Pastrana formally closed her UAAP journey, marking the end of her collegiate basketball career after her final season with the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses, a chapter she described as transformative both on and off the court.
In a heartfelt social media post, Pastrana reflected on her time in España, thanking UST for becoming her “second home” as she wrapped up her eligibility in the league.
The veteran guard, who transferred to UST after previously playing for De La Salle University, said the Black and Gold community gave her a sense of belonging that defined the latter stage of her UAAP career.
“First of all, thank you Lord for giving me this kind of opportunity and blessings, and big thank you to the UST Community for your unending support since day one,” Pastrana wrote. “You made every single game feel like a championship game.”
Pastrana credited the Growling Tigresses’ coaching staff for helping shape her growth, citing both the technical lessons and the personal guidance she received during her stay with the program.
“Thank you for sharing your knowledge on and off the court, for your patience, the tough conversations and the memories that I will carry with me forever,” she said. “You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and encouraged me to be more than just a player everyday.”
She also paid tribute to her teammates, underscoring the bonds forged through years of competition and shared adversity.
“It is a privilege to have shared sweat, tears, heartbreaks, defeat and triumphs with you,” Pastrana wrote. “It will be tough to move on to the next chapter knowing that I am leaving you behind.”
Pastrana ended her message by embracing the close of her UAAP run, expressing gratitude to the university she came to call home.
“It’s been a wild, beautiful ride. Thank you for everything, UST. Last time for the Black and Gold.”
Her farewell officially concludes a UAAP career highlighted by two championships, closing the book on a collegiate journey that spanned two programs and culminated in a final run with the Growling Tigresses./PN
