UAAP: Detdet Pepito harps on patience as UST loses 2nd straight
UST libero Detdet Pepito hustles to get the ball during a second-round game against FEU in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Detdet Pepito preached patience after University of Santo Tomas suffered back-to-back losses in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
UST started the second round on the wrong foot after falling to Far Eastern University anew, 22-25, 24-26, 25-17, 26-24, on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Pepito struggled against FEU with just seven receptions in 13 attempts while also tallying a 12-of-24 digging clip.
READ: UAAP: FEU repeats over UST in women’s volleyball
Detdet Pepito, who had 12 digs and was limited to 7/13 receptions, stays the course despite their back-to-back losses. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/UsVHlnlDeS
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 23, 2025
“It’s really noticeable, especially now. I don’t know, it’s just that sometimes only a little bit of the ball comes my way in passing,” said Pepito in Filipino
“But I’ve seen the improvements in our training, and it shows in the games. Our passing has improved, and we’re going to push even harder to perform better and really give it our all in the next games.”
The UST captain said the challenge right now for the Golden Tigresses is learning how to be patient amid adversity.
“I try to remind everyone to trust themselves and each other. Sometimes, when someone makes a mistake, it feels like the world is ending, and you can see it in their eyes and body language. I talk to them, but I can see when they’ve already given up,” she said. That’s been a big challenge for me this season because we lack patience as players. I hope we can work on that, and we’re open to discussing it so we can improve.”
READ: UAAP: UST Tigresses eager to build on promising first-round showing
The two-time UAAP Best Libero remains optimistic about their team, which won five in a row before a five-set loss to defending champion NU to end the first round last week.
“Like what Coach KungFu (Reyes) said about how we started the first round is the same as how we started the second round. It’s about how we performed and how we bounced back after our loss in the first game. We’ll repeat that process,” Pepito said. “We’ll really work hard because what’s missing is the maturity on the court, especially in crucial moments. That’s what we really need to focus on.”
UST seeks to bounce back against La Salle on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
