A decorated libero in the UAAP, Detdet Pepito is ready to prove herself in the Premier Volleyball League.
Pepito, a two-time Best Libero in the collegiate ranks and a four-time awardee in the high school division, feels excited to share the floor with the PVL’s best floor defenders.
Among the league’s well-known liberos are PLDT’s Kath Arado and the Choco Mucho duo of Thang Ponce and Dawn Catindig.
“Super excited ko kasi yun nga noon pinapanood ko lang sila, ngayon pa kayang makakalaban ko sila,” said the UST product on Thursday during Day 1 of the PVL Draft Combine at the Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong.
“I think better kasi mas makikita ko kung paano sila gumalaw face-to-face. I think yung learnings sa adjustment, ganon, kung paano sila mag-handle ng pressure. Talagang kailangan kong baunin para mag-improve,” she added.
(C) PVL Images
A known vocal leader during her stint with the Golden Tigresses, Pepito vowed to bring the same qualities that made her one of the most beloved figures at UST in recent years.
She is among a small group of liberos in the draft pool, alongside University of the Philippines’ Jum Gayo and Irah Jaboneta, as well as Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Lara Mae Silva, among others.
“Siguro, unang-una po yung leadership ko, of course, and yung palagi ko talagang binibigay yung 101-percent ko during training pa lang po and syempre sa laro,” Pepito shared.
The PVL Draft will be held on June 3 at the Novotel Manila Araneta City, with Galeries Tower holding the all-important top overall pick.
Capital1 will select second, followed by Choco Mucho, ZUS Coffee, Akari, Nxled, Farm Fresh, PLDT, and Creamline in that order.
Pepito also vowed not to change the personality that often helps lift her team’s morale from down moments to a more joyful and energized squad.
“Ganon lang, ganon ko po kasi napapakita yung leadership ko and mas nagiging magaan po yung galaw ko kapag nagiging ako, yung sarili ko na makulit, doon ako nagiging mas effective.”
