It is undeniable that the friendship between Mhicaela Belen and Detdet Pepito is unbreakable despite their membership in different teams.
As the leaders of their respective squads – Belen for National University and Pepito for University of Santo Tomas – they will now have a dream match-up for the first time in collegiate competition.
The two figured in numerous duels in high school, with National University-Nazareth getting the better of UST.
This time around, the Golden Tigresses secured their ticket to the Finals with a 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7 victory over defending champions, the De La Salle Lady Spikers, last Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs suffered an upset by the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the first game, before dominating with a 25-14, 27-25, 25-15 victory in the rubber match on Wednesday.
(C) Henry Fernandez
“Happy ako kasi si Detdet makakalaban ko na siya sa Finals. Dati teammate ko lang siya nung elementary and nung high school magkalaban din kami,” said the Season 84 MVP.
Belen showed what she’s made of in the do-or-die match with 21 points on 16 attacks and five aces to go with 14 digs.
“So Det, ito na ito. Det magpahinga ka, matulog ka,” she joked, looking forward to their spiker-libero matchup.
In their two match-ups this season, UST and NU split the games.
The Golden Tigresses claimed victory in the first round with a surprising 25-19, 25-23, 25-22 straight sets result.
Then the Lady Bulldogs retaliated in the second round, winning 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20.
During their high school days with the Lady Bullpups and the Junior Tigresses, they faced off in multiple Finals.
Their last encounter was in Season 80, where the former emerged victorious in two games.
