NU star Afril Bernardino is the first female player honored in the Collegiate Basketball Awards. Handout photo

MANILA, Philippines – Already an icon in National University (NU), Afril Bernardino padded her sports resume further last week when she became the first female basketball player to be recognized by the UAAP-NCAA Press Corps in the Collegiate Basketball Awards.

Bernardino, a three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player, was given an Award of Excellence in recognition of her contributions to women's collegiate basketball.

This marks the first time in 10 editions that the UAAP-NCAA Press Corps honored a female basketball player in its awards night. Bernardino further received a cash prize from Chooks-to-Go as well.

"Thankful ako, kasi 'di ko akalain na ako 'yung mapipili para sa award na ito," said the soft-spoken Bernardino, who led the Lady Bulldogs to three straight titles from Seasons 77 to 79. "Sobrang saya din, kasi 'di ko ine-expect 'yung ganitong award."

For NU head coach Patrick Aquino – who recruited Bernardino as a raw yet athletic player during the Palarong Pambansa – the award was another milestone for women's collegiate basketball.

"The fact na napapansin na kami, 'yung women's side of basketball, it's just great," said Aquino, who also credited sports patrons such as Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy for their support of women's basketball and the women's national team, Perlas Pilipinas.

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That Bernardino deserved the honor is not up for debate. Aquino pointed out that Bernardino has been the face of the NU women's basketball program, and has also captured the attention of international basketball scouts with her talent and skill.

"Without her, wala din naman 'yung NU," admitted Aquino, who is also the coach of Perlas Pilipinas. "She's the one, siya 'yung nag-epitomize ng level ng basketball dito sa babae. So, sabi ko nga, she's the best in our era."

"There are a lot of magagaling na basketball players before na babae, but you know, as far as I'm concerned, she's recognized here in the Philippines and around the world, probably," he added.

The coach stressed that all this did not come easy for Bernardino, whom they first noticed as an athletic player but without the skill that she now displays.

"Imagine mo 'yung time na parang bata na naglalaro ng piko, ganoon lang si Afril before. When we saw her, she was just running up and down the court, jumping only, wala pang talent talaga," he revealed. 

"But the thing is, 'yung perseverance niya to be good, 'yung hard work na ginagawa niya, extra hard work, extra practice… talagang pinag-butihan niya, nag-practice siya ng extra," he added.

Bernardino was nothing short of dominant during her years in NU, running away with the MVai visionP trophy in her final three seasons. They were also unbeaten in those three years – a winning streak that the Lady Bulldogs have since stretched to 64 games in the season after Bernardino's graduation.

Aquino is now hoping that even without Bernardino taking center stage, women's basketball will continue to earn a share of the spotlight in collegiate sports.

"Sana hindi lang ngayong taon," said Aquino, after watching his star player receive the award last Thursday at the Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros. "But also for the future of women's basketball."

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