The UST Golden Tigresses will lean on veteran libero and team captain Detdet Pepito as they face a do-or-die battle for a Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
After falling to the NU Lady Bulldogs in a reverse sweep, UST dropped into a playoff for the fourth and final semifinal berth, where it will face the FEU Lady Tamaraws.
For Pepito, who has spent her entire UAAP career in black and gold, the focus remains on the task at hand rather than the emotions of what could be her final collegiate game. “I think after na lang ng UAAP talaga, doon ko iisipin na last ko na ganoon. Siguro, magpo-focus muna ako sa magiging performance namin, and ’yung kailangan kong i-perform sa kalaban na FEU,” Pepito said.
Pepito Looking to Extend Season, Preaches Poise
Despite the pressure of a winner-take-all scenario, the two-time Best Libero emphasized the importance of composure and leadership as UST looks to extend its season. “Siyempre, meron talaga. ’Yung pressure, nandoon na. Siyempre, 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,” she said. “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.
UST Aiming for Third Win vs. FEU
UST swept FEU in both elimination-round meetings this season, but Pepito knows that those results will mean little in a knockout setting with everything on the line. With her collegiate career at stake, Pepito hopes to inspire her teammates to stay disciplined and fully commit to their system.
“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,” Pepito said. “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, tina-try lang namin i-apply.”
With a sixth straight Final Four appearance on the line, the Golden Tigresses will need both composure and urgency as they battle the Lady Tamaraws for the last semifinal ticket. The Golden Tigresses and the Lady Tamaraws will face off for the final Final Four spot on Saturday, April 25, at 3:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
