Veteran Presence Becomes Key For UST Women’s Basketball
Brigette Santos enters her final UAAP season carrying greater responsibility as defending champion UST begins another women’s basketball title defense. The fifth-year guard must provide scoring and leadership after the departures of influential veterans Eka Soriano and Kent Pastrana.
Santos Steps Into Bigger UST Leadership Role
Luisa Morales of One Sports reported that Santos now finds herself among UST’s primary veteran leaders entering another championship defense. Soriano and Pastrana previously provided significant leadership, leaving Santos with a demanding adjustment before the Growling Tigresses begin Season 89.
“Nawala na po si ate Eka and si ate Kent. Naging malaking factor po sila ng UST kung paano kami as a whole eh. So, para sa akin po, as a leader, medyo naging mabigat po [yung adjustment] kasi nagulat na lang po, biglang ako na po pala yung next,” Santos said.
Leadership will not rest entirely on Santos because several experienced teammates are helping establish accountability throughout the defending champions’ roster. Rachelle Ambos, Coi Danganan, Agatha Bron, and Kai Danganan provide additional veteran voices as UST reshapes its leadership structure.
“Pero hindi naman po ako nag-iisa. So, si [Rachelle] Ambos, si Coi [Danganan], [Agatha] Bron, Kai [Danganan], tinulungan naman po nila kami as leaders na mag-lead sa team. Hindi naman po naging mahira para sa amin… Nagtutulungan naman po kami eh.”
Image from: GMA Network
Soriano and Pastrana Departures Reshape Veteran Core
Replacing Soriano and Pastrana involves more than filling minutes because experienced departures can significantly change communication during difficult game situations. UST’s shared approach distributes those responsibilities across several veterans rather than asking Santos to replace both leaders independently.
Leadership Extends Beyond Santos’ Scoring Role
Santos has already established herself as an important offensive option within head coach Haydee Ong’s system during previous championship campaigns. Her final season demands broader responsibility through communication, accountability, and guidance when younger teammates encounter difficult stretches during competition.
Season 89 also carries personal significance because Santos knows these will be her final games representing the Growling Tigresses. Rather than focusing only on previous championships, she wants her remaining appearances to reflect consistent effort and meaningful leadership.
“Siyempre nakaka-sad po, last playing year [ko] na. So, kung pwede po next year, maglalaro pa po. Pero yun po, naging mindset ko na lang po is I’ll give my best every game,” Santos said.
Final UAAP Season Brings Different Responsibilities
Santos wants her influence to extend beyond games by helping UST’s younger players develop their basketball skills and personal standards. Guiding rookies gives her final campaign another purpose while helping the program prepare its next generation of contributors.
“I-lead yung team kung yung way na makakaya ko off the court and on the court. And i-guide yung mga bata, especially yung mga rookies to be a better person and improve their game everyday.”
Japan Camp Accelerates UST’s Team Chemistry
UST strengthened its Season 89 preparations through an overseas training camp in Japan, giving veterans and newcomers meaningful competitive time together. Santos viewed the experience as valuable for developing chemistry before the Growling Tigresses returned to the pressure of UAAP competition.
“Naging malaking tulong po yung pagpunta namin sa Japan,” Santos said.
The camp also gave newcomers Erinn McAlary, Naysa Tate, and Kayla Williams opportunities to integrate with UST’s returning championship core. Santos believes those shared experiences helped create a more connected group entering another demanding title-defense campaign.
“So, dun pa lang po, nabi-build na po namin yung chemistry namin as a team. So, yung mga bagong pasok po, si Erinn [McAlary], si Naysa [Tate]… si Kayla. I think, mas buo po kami ngayon,” Santos added.
Newcomers Gain Confidence Before Season 89
Santos also noticed increased confidence among UST’s newcomers after they received opportunities to compete during the team’s Japan training camp. That development could become important as the Tigresses build dependable rotation depth around their returning veterans throughout Season 89.
“And yung confidence po nila, ever since nakapaglaro po sila ng Japan, nalabas po nila. So, happy po kami to watch them play this season with us.”
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Shared Leadership Shapes UST’s Championship Defense
UST’s leadership transition places responsibility across Santos, Ambos, Bron, and the Danganans as younger players adjust to championship expectations. Multiple veteran voices could help stabilize different lineup combinations while allowing newcomers opportunities to develop without carrying excessive responsibility immediately.
That balance becomes particularly important when difficult stretches test communication, defensive organization, and composure against experienced UAAP opponents. UST’s returning leaders must maintain established standards while creating enough space for emerging players to establish meaningful roles.
Veteran Core Must Help Stabilize New Rotations
Shared leadership gives UST several experienced players capable of reinforcing accountability whenever younger lineups encounter pressure during important possessions. Santos remains central to that structure, but her own comments emphasize collective responsibility rather than depending entirely on one veteran voice.
UST Chases Third Championship in Four Seasons
The Growling Tigresses enter Season 89 carrying expectations beyond simply defending their most recent championship against another competitive UAAP field. Another successful campaign would give UST three women’s basketball championships across four seasons, extending an impressive stretch for Ong’s program.
Maintaining that standard will require UST to integrate newcomers while replacing the experience and leadership previously supplied by Soriano and Pastrana. Santos’ final season therefore arrives at an important transition point between preserving championship expectations and developing UST’s next competitive core.
Defending Champions Face Another Demanding Standard
UST enters its title defense with proven veterans, promising newcomers, and a leadership structure undergoing significant change before Season 89. How quickly those elements connect during meaningful competition could determine whether the Tigresses remain positioned for another championship run.
Analytical Breakdown: Leadership Beyond the Numbers
Brigette Santos’ leadership will be measured less by individual statistics and more by her ability to maintain UST’s championship culture throughout Season 89. Veteran leaders shape daily standards through communication, composure, and accountability, especially when younger teammates face pressure for the first time.
UST’s overseas training camp provided an important foundation, but sustained success will depend on how quickly the newcomers adapt to meaningful UAAP competition. If Santos and the Tigresses’ veteran core continue guiding the team’s development on and off the court, UST should remain a legitimate contender for another championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brigette Santos playing her final UAAP season?
Santos confirmed that UAAP Season 89 will be her final playing year with the UST Growling Tigresses.
Who did UST lose before UAAP Season 89?
UST enters its championship defense without veteran pillars Eka Soriano and Kent Pastrana, increasing leadership responsibilities for the returning core.
Who are UST’s notable newcomers?
Erinn McAlary, Naysa Tate, and Filipino-American recruit Kayla Williams are among UST’s notable newcomers entering UAAP Season 89.
Where did UST hold its overseas training camp?
The Growling Tigresses trained in Japan, where Santos said the team strengthened chemistry and helped its newcomers build confidence.
How many championships is UST chasing?
UST is attempting to capture its third UAAP women’s basketball championship across the program’s last four seasons.
Disclaimer: Headline Image from GMA Network.
