When Detdet Pepito pleads, the UST Golden Tigresses respond—and this time, it kept their season alive.
Facing elimination, UST rose to the occasion and turned back the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 16-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16, to secure the final spot in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament stepladder at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Behind the win was an emotional rallying cry from team captain Pepito, who urged her teammates to extend her collegiate career for as long as possible.
“Actually kagabi, after nung viewing namin, naging emotional na ako. In-urge ko ‘yung team and nag-group hug kami,” shared Pepito after their 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 Played Her Part, Too
Pepito backed it up on the floor, anchoring the Golden Tigresses’ defense with 15-of-17 excellent receptions and 18-of-27 excellent digs.
Angge Poyos led the offense with 26 points, while Regina Jurado added 11 markers. Xyza Gula provided a spark off the bench with 9 points, and Avril Bron chipped in 8.
“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.
With the playoff hurdle cleared, UST now turns its focus to a stepladder clash against the third-seeded Adamson Lady Falcons. The Golden Tigresses will be looking to reverse their fortunes against the Lady Falcons, who swept both of their elimination-round meetings this season.
Second-seeded NU Lady Bulldogs await the winner in the next phase, while unbeaten La Salle Lady Archers have already secured a direct Finals berth after a perfect elimination-round campaign.
Same Approach
For Pepito, the approach remains simple as the Golden Tigresses continue their postseason push.
“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.”
With renewed life and a captain leading with both heart and urgency, UST marches forward—one game at a time.
