Gilas Pilipinas women’s coach Pat Aquino. Tristan Tamayo’s photo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Pat Aquino, architect of the National University Lady Bulldogs’ historic winning streak, hopes their feat won’t be repeated anytime soon.
The Lady Bulldogs’ winning streak that began eight years ago ended on Wednesday after losing to La Salle in extra time.
“I know it’s just a long streak, but of course it’s a very long streak. 108 games in a row? Hopefully no one beats that in the near future,” Aquino, a former NU women’s basketball coach, said during halftime of the Ateneo-UP men’s basketball game on Saturday.
“Of course I’m sad because it’s a long story. Six years and more plus the 96-0 we had, you know? It makes me sad on my part and others. In fact, not only me, but the other players involved said, ‘coach, sayang (too bad)’” he added.
Aquino stepped down as NU coach last May to fully focus on her duties as Gilas Pilipinas Women’s mentor and program director and strengthen Blackwater’s coaching staff in the PBA. He was replaced by Aris Dimaunahan.
“They said sorry. I say, it happens. Because it really happens, you know? This is the time to, not really regroup, but to show up. I told CC (Camille Clarin) and others that you are the leaders there,” Aquino said.
However, as a supporter of Philippine women’s basketball, seeing the progression of other schools’ recruiting programs surprised the veteran coach.
Tracking the UAAP women’s basketball scene also helps Aquino consider potential talents that could drive the national women’s team program in the future.
“I watched the UAAP women’s games and a lot of them really improved like UST, Ateneo, where is Kaycee Dela Rosa, a rookie who plays that kind of basketball? I told my coaching staff [in Gilas] You will have a lot of work to do. You will have to talk to a lot of players.”
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