Title redemption complete, NU star Clarin leaves winning legacy as women’s basketball rises

MANILA, Philippines – “Champion!”

NU star guard Camille Clarin barreled into the Araneta Coliseum press room screaming like there’s no tomorrow, because there is indeed none left in what has been an iconic UAAP career.

On Sunday, December 15, the NU captain gave everything she had left in her collegiate tenure to help the Lady Bulldogs recapture the women’s basketball championship in a nail-biting 78-73 finish over the gutsy, battle-tested UST Growling Tigresses.

Amid the chaos of yet another late UST comeback attempt, Clarin held the coolest head in the winner-take-all contest’s waning seconds and made the absolute best plays in that span: a game-sealing steal and subsequent swishes at the line to put the game out of reach one last time and erase all doubts.

Though technically still eligible for one last season, the Gilas Pilipinas standout announced her intention to leave the vaunted NU program on a high with her third UAAP championship, five years removed from her first one, way back in 2019.

“I am so proud to be the captain of this winning team. It just goes to show that when everyone sets aside their own agenda and puts their own ego aside, puts the we over the me, great things are gonna happen,” she said after a stellar effort of 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 big steals.

“This team has been through the gutter. The fact that everybody rose up to the challenge is just amazing. Nobody can take that away from us.”

After giving away a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead in Game 3 of the finals last season to hand UST a seven-peat-snapping title win, Clarin and the rest of the Lady Bulldogs were more on point this time around, staying composed in yet another Tigresses rally from down 15 to gain the winning edge.

Thanks to Clarin, fellow veteran Angel Surada, and eventual rookie Finals MVP Cielo Pagdulagan, NU completed its redemption tour with title No. 8 in the last nine season, restarting its march as the greatest modern-day program in Philippine collegiate basketball today.

Amid a sea of thousands at the Big Dome — in stark contrast to her days as a wide-eyed rookie — Clarin basked in the joy of one final golden coup as she moves on to greener pastures of a highly promising career.

“In 2019, you can probably count how many people were in the stands. This time, you really felt the impact of the crowd and it just goes to show that people gravitate towards the things you’re passionate about,” Clarin continued.

“I think we’ve shown time and time again that with or without support, we’re gonna fight, we’re gonna give them a good show. Women’s basketball is on the rise and I’m glad that we’re right there with it. The next generation is really gonna feel the impact of it, and I’m so excited for them.” – Rappler.com