By MARK REY MONTEJO
Detdet Pepito is uncertain whether she will still play her final eligible year or not for University of Santo Tomas after the Tigresses lost to the La Salle Lady Spikers in their semis series in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum over the weekend.
Pepito was obviously heartbroken after they absorbed a 25-22, 11-25, 25-11, 25-21 defeat to No. 2 seed Lady Spikers.
“We’ll see, we’ll see po,” said the teary-eyed Pepito moments after their redemption tour came to an end.
It was UST’s second straight defeat to La Salle after also losing in their playoff for the No. 2 seed a couple days ago, so the defeat was unbearably painful for them that time.
Even the coaches, led by Kungfu Reyes, were trying to hold their emotions knowing full well his wards had made supreme sacrifices to be ready for this moment, but the demigod of the sport was not kind enough this time.
“So far wala pa namang ganung usapan, pero nagpasalamat na rin sya sa mga teammates nya,” said Reyes of Pepito.
But one thing is for sure, Pepito, a graduating elementary education student, is mightily proud of what her teammates did for the season. They finished with a 9-5 record.
“Of course super proud, and thankful po sa lahat ng suporta sa amin, I know talagang marami po kaming pinagdaanan ‘yong team namin this season,” said Pepito. “Actually no’ng mga naunang round, slow start po ‘yong nangyari, ‘di po kami nag-give up and nag-stick po kami sa system na meron ‘yong UST.
The Tigresses could have done better if not for their early woes that saw two key players of the team – Xyza Gula and Jonna Perdido – suffer injuries.
Middle blocker Pia Abbu may also forego her last playing year to focus on her academic responsibilities just like the lovely Pepito.
One huge reason that may force Pepito to play her final year is the family-like bonding and the support of UST community to the entire team, especially the coaches.
“Iyong coaches, sila father, iyong teammates, ‘yong community po talaga, ibang klase ‘yong suporta… iba talaga ‘yong UAAP and iba talaga sumuporta ‘yong UST,” Pepito stressed. “Gusto parin namin ma-experience pero let’s see po.”
