UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses graduating team captain Detdet Pepito just doesn’t want to end her collegiate career yet.
The 2-time UAAP women’s volleyball Best Setter wants to extend her fifth and final playing year in Season 88 as far as possible.
That in mind, Pepito pleaded with her teammates the night before their playoff for the No. 4 seed and the last semifinal spot against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws at the Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
Pepito doesn’t want to go pro, yet, and she wants her teammates to step up.
“Actually last night after our viewing, I already got emotional,” shared Pepito.
“I encouraged the team and we had a group hug. I could see in their eyes that they really want to help. They also want our team goal.”
Heeding their captain’s call, the Tigresses recovered from a first-set loss and turned back the Tamaraws, 16-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16, to claim the No. 4 seed and the last stepladder semifinal ticket.
Pepito’s collegiate career thereby extends to at least one more game — another knockout match in the first phase of the stepladder semis against No. 3 seed Adamson on Wednesday.
“I really cried about this already since last night. I was begging. I said I don’t want to go pro yet, so please let’s extend our time here,” shared Pepito.
“We saw earlier that no matter who was put in, everyone stepped up somehow. I’m just thankful for them,” the 23-year-old added.
Angge Poyos led UST with 26 points, seven receptions, and five digs; Regina Jurado dropped 11 points and 12 digs, Xyza Gula added nine points, 11 digs, and seven receptions, and Cassie Carballo tossed 21 excellent sets.
Standing at 5-foot-2, Pepito herself came through as well, posting an efficient 18-of-27 clip in digs and a 15-of-17 clip in receptions.
Now, Pepito and the Tigresses take on the Lady Falcons who beat them twice in the eliminations.
The winner between UST and Adamson faces the No. 2 seed and defending champ National University in another winner-take-all match, with the victor advancing to the best-of-3 Finals against the undefeated De La Salle.
“Everything starts in training. The coaches always say there should be no doubts, nothing held back. Even in training, it has to be all out,” said Pepito.
“We’ll see that in the results of the game. We really take it one game at a time, and hopefully we get past our next game.”
