IN her four years with National University, Camille Clarin won three titles and relishes being part of one of the most successful women’s basketball programs in the UAAP.

With the stunning 2023 championship defeat serving as a wake up call, Clarin was able to rise again and close out her collegiate career as a winner.

“The biggest lesson was you can never work enough. Last year, I didn’t put in any extra work; I didn’t do what it took to be a captain. Yeah, I was good at communicating, but I think my impact on the court wasn’t enough,” said Clarin after leading the Lady Bulldogs in completing a redemption season.

“I don’t think there was a day this year that I didn’t do extra work, didn’t talk to other coaches, or didn’t review film, because I knew this moment was gonna come and I wanted to be ready for it. The only thing once you’re down is to rise back up,” she added.

After a heartbreaking Season 86 Finals loss to University of Santo Tomas that ended a streak of seven consecutive titles, NU went back to work and focused at the task at hand.

The Game 2 defeat to the Tigresses served as a reminder for Clarin and the rest of the Lady Bulldogs.

“Even last game, Game 2 – we were already on a sweep, and everything was leading up to a perfect moment for us to finish Game 2, but it didn’t happen. It was just one more obstacle we needed to overcome,” said Clarin.

“It was just a testament to everything we’ve worked for this year. Every second counted, every practice, every drill we did, every time we chose to listen to the coaches and come together in close games. All of that led to this moment, and that’s why we won,” she added.

NU won’t be denied as it was able to get the job done in annexing an eighth crown overall.

Spending the Christmas and New Year holidays out of the country for a well-deserved rest after a grueling campaign, Clarin has remained mum about her post-UAAP plans as she will forego her fifth and final year of eligibility.

“I think everything is sweeter once you overcome hardship. I think that’s the name of the game for us this season,” said Clarin.

With Season 87 Rookie of the Year Cielo Pagdulagan expected to be one of the vital cogs for the Lady Bulldogs’ title-retention bid, Clarin knows that the holdovers are ready to step up this year.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado