For over a decade, decorated libero Detdet Pepito has worn only one set of colors throughout her UAAP career.
From the moment she first suited up for the University of Santo Tomas Junior Golden Tigresses in Season 78 (2016) to becoming one of the steadiest leaders for the Golden Tigresses in UAAP women’s volleyball, Pepito’s entire journey has been — and will always be — built around representing the Black and Gold.
Now, with University of Santo Tomas’ Final Four aspirations hanging by a thread in the Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament, the graduating libero is not dwelling on the emotions of her swan song.
Instead, in what could be the final game of her lengthy stint with the UST volleyball program, Pepito is focused on managing those emotions while embracing her leadership role in the Golden Tigresses’ bid for a Final Four berth.
“I think after na lang ng UAAP talaga, doon ko iisipin na last ko na ganon. Siguro, magfo-focus muna ako sa magiging performance namin and yung kailangan kong i-perform sa kalaban na FEU,” Pepito told reporters on Wednesday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
UST fell into a playoff for the fourth seed — and the last ticket to the stepladder semifinals — against Far Eastern University after a heartbreaking 25-19, 25-23, 18-25, 18-25, 13-15 loss to two-time defending champion National University.
Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws kept their postseason hopes alive after completing a reverse sweep of also-ran Ateneo de Manila University earlier in the day.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Acknowledging that the stakes and pressure are at their peak — with a sixth consecutive postseason appearance on the line in her final year — Pepito admitted that she must lead by example for UST to assert its mastery over FEU.
“Siyempre, meron talaga. Yung pressure, nandoon na. Syempre, parang do-or-die na kumbaga, lalo sa akin. Ang hirap lang din na dahil mabigat talaga yung laro for [Saturday] dahil battle for Final Four yon,” said the two-time UAAP women’s volleyball Best Libero.
“Kailangan kong ipakita sa mga bata na mabigat man ’yung nakasalalay doon. Kailangan naming mag-enjoy kasi lagi kong sinasabi na pag nage-enjoy kami, mas madaling manalo,” she added.
While UST swept FEU in both elimination round meetings this Season 88, Pepito knows that the Lady Tamaraws — anchored by Gerz Petallo, Jaz Ellarina, and Marga Encarnacion — are eager to exact revenge with everything on the line.
Still determined not to see her collegiate career end prematurely, Pepito hopes the Golden Tigresses can clean up their errors and stay true to the system of head coach Shaq delos Santos to secure the final spot in the stepladder semifinals.
“Magsisimula talaga sa ensayo. For sure, mas gigil naman talaga silang bumawi. Sana mas maging motivated yung mga players, especially lagi kong rineremind na ayaw ko pang mag-pro, pahabain niyo yung buhay natin sa UAAP,” the 23-year-old libero expressed.
“Ganoon talaga, lalo ngayong UAAP, unpredictable talaga yung mga teams. Hindi mo alam kanino ka mananalo, hindi mo alam kanino ka matatalo. Ginagawa lang talaga namin yung best and yung system na meron si coach Shaq, tinatry lang namin i-apply.”
