VIGAN, Ilocos Sur — On her very first game in the Premier Volleyball League, Detdet Pepito quickly became a crowd favorite.
Even before the opening serve of Capital1’s 2026 PVL On Tour Showdown debut against Nxled on Saturday, the CHAVIT Coliseum here erupted in cheers as Pepito’s name was announced during the starting lineup introductions.
For the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, the warm reception made her professional debut even more memorable.
“Actually, nagulat po ako na maraming sumigaw na tao kasi siyempre hindi ko naman po ini-expect na ma-rerecognize tayo bilang libero nang ganoon,” said Pepito, the decorated defensive specialist from the University of Santo Tomas.
“Nakakatuwa lang and I hope na ma-inspire pa yung future players po na hindi lang tayo basta libero, kaya nating mas mag-perform nang maayos bilang libero.”
(C) PVL Images
The Solar Spikers, however, were swept by the Chameleons, 25-17, 25-23, 25-18, as veteran duo Myla Pablo and Jonah Sabete-Escamillan proved too much to handle.
Capital1 also played without its starting wing spikers, Bella Belen, Vanie Gandler, and Erika Santos, who are all away on national team duty.
Despite the defeat — and despite exiting midway through the third set after suffering leg cramps — Pepito still delivered a respectable PVL debut.
“I think not bad naman po. Siyempre, bilang rookie, nandoon yung kaba and excitement, pero at least na-handle ko kahit papaano nang maayos,” she said.
“But yun nga, kailangan kong masolusyonan yung pagka-cramp ko every game. We’ll try to find a solution po.”
Pepito and the Solar Spikers will return to action on August 8 in Santiago, Isabela, where they will face the Creamline Cool Smashers.
