Badet Pepito wants everyone on her team to step up and contribute to the University of Santo Tomas’ buildup for the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
Coming off a fourth-place finish last season, the Golden Tigresses lost their core, headlined by Eya Laure and Imee Hernandez, as the duo opted to go pro with Chery Tiggo. Also moving on from the collegiate ranks are Maji Mangalubnan, KC Galdones, Ysa Jimenez, and Camille Victoria.
And the incoming junior skipper knows that it will take an entire team to fill the shoes left by Laure and Hernandez.
“Nireremind ko lang din yung iba na magstep-up and sana mag step-up lahat, wala yung, wag naman sana na one man team lang,” Pepito told Tiebreaker Times.
Pepito, who is the reigning Best Libero in the UAAP and the guardian deity of the Tigresses, constantly reminds the team that they should focus more on the present rather than being stuck on the errors committed.
This was particularly highlighted during the Tigresses’ first game in the 2023 Shakey’s National Invitationals, where they swept CESAFI’s University of San Jose Recoletos, 25-15, 25-16, 25-16.
“Palagi ko silang nireremind na maging one-point warriors lang, wag tayo ma-stuck sa mga mali o error na ginawa natin, and kailangan mas mag-move on and make up for the present.
“Since nasa rebuilding phase kami, itong Shakeys na to parang nagkaroon lang kami ng short span of preparation para sa liga na to, at siguro hindi naman naging mahirap yung preparation,” she said.
“Yung karamihan sa amin ay seniors and actually half-half ng team namin ay bago and dalawa ay from high school kaya hindi naman mahirap na ipa-adapt sa kanila yung meron ang UST,” she added.
The 5-foot-3 defensive specialist is confident that in this Shakey’s and ACES-organized league, every member of the team will get their chance to shine.
“Siguro lahat magcocontribute, kasi last time panay Ate Eya – Ate Eya, siguro kung ano yung ipapakita namin sa Shakey’s makikita niyo na parang lahat naman nagcocontribute,” Pepito concluded. (Jan Marcus Montevirgen)
