When captain Detdet Pepito speaks, University of Santo Tomas listens.
So when Pepito pleaded with her teammates to give everything they had to extend her UAAP career as long as possible, the Golden Tigresses responded in kind.
With the final ticket to the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball stepladder at stake, UST made sure it would not be Pepito’s last game, pulling off a 16-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16 win over Far Eastern University in the playoff on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Actually kagabi, after nung viewing namin, naging emotional na ako. In-urge ko yung team and nag-group hug kami,” shared Pepito after their bounce-back win.
“Nakikita ko sa mga mata nila na gusto talaga nilang tumulong. Gusto rin nila yung goal namin as a team. Nakita naman natin kanina na kahit papaano, kahit sino ipasok, talagang nagste-step up. Thankful lang sa kanila.”
Pepito led by example, anchoring UST’s floor defense with 15-of-17 excellent receptions and 18-of-27 excellent digs.
Angge Poyos powered the offense with 26 points, while Regina Jurado added 11. Xyza Gula chipped in nine points, and Avril Bron contributed eight.
“Happy lang din ako and grateful sa coaches na grabe yung tiyaga sa amin kahit sobra-sobra yung topak ng mga players. At saka sa teammates ko, talagang iniyakan ko yan kagabi pa lang. Nagmamakaawa ako. Sabi ko ayoko pa mag-pro, kaya please habaan pa natin yung buhay natin dito,” Pepito added.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UST now shifts its focus to third-seeded Adamson University in the next stepladder round on Wednesday, still at the Big Dome.
The Golden Tigresses were swept by the Lady Falcons in both their first- and second-round meetings this season.
Second-ranked National University awaits in the final stepladder stage, while De La Salle University has already secured a Finals berth after a perfect 14-0 elimination round sweep.
For Pepito, the formula remains unchanged — preparation is everything.
“Magsisimula lahat ’yan sa training. Lagi sinasabi ng mga coaches na wala na dapat i-doubt, wala na dapat i-reserve. Sa training pa lang, all-out na talaga. Makikita naman natin ‘yan kung ano ‘yung resulta ng laro,” she said.
“One game at a time kami talaga, and hopefully malagpasan namin yung next game namin.”
