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Tag: Detdet Pepito

  • UAAP standout Detdet Pepito relishes PVL debut despite Capital1’s loss to Nxled

    UAAP standout Detdet Pepito relishes PVL debut despite Capital1’s loss to Nxled

    Capital1 Solar Spikers rookie Detdet Pepito may not have celebrated her professional debut with a victory, but the highly touted libero walked away from her first Premier Volleyball League (PVL) match with valuable lessons and even greater motivation.

     

    The Solar Spikers opened their 2026 PVL On Tour campaign on a disappointing note after suffering a straight-set defeat to the Nxled Chameleons, 25-17, 25-23, 25-18. Despite showing flashes of competitiveness—particularly in the second set—Capital1 struggled to match Nxled’s consistency and execution as the Chameleons completed a convincing sweep.

     

    For Pepito, however, the match represented the realization of a long-awaited dream.

     

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    After establishing herself as one of the most decorated collegiate players in recent memory, the two-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player officially made the leap to the professional ranks. Although the 23-year-old admitted that nerves and physical discomfort affected her performance, she remained encouraged by how she handled the moment.

     

    “I think it wasn’t bad. As a rookie, there were definitely nerves and excitement, but I think I handled it pretty well. I just need to figure out how to deal with the cramps I have been getting every game. We will try to find a solution,” Pepito said during the postmatch press conference.

     

    The transition from collegiate volleyball to the PVL often presents a significant challenge for young players, with the faster pace, stronger competition, and higher expectations demanding quick adjustments. Yet Pepito believes the transition has been made considerably easier by the welcoming environment within the Capital1 camp.

    Rather than feeling intimidated by the jump to the professional level, the former collegiate standout said the team’s veteran players and coaching staff have helped her settle in comfortably.

     

    “I don’t think much has changed. I can still help push my teammates, and they also push me to be better. As a rookie, it’s actually exciting because I’m learning so much from the veterans. Everyone made it so easy to fit in. They were all easy to get along with, and they never made us feel like rookies. In fact, they treated us so well that it almost felt like I had been with the team for a long time. I’m just really thankful to the veterans for making us feel so welcome from day one,” she added.

     

    Pepito arrived in the PVL carrying lofty expectations after a stellar collegiate career that established her as one of the country’s premier liberos. While her professional debut ended in defeat, the young defensive specialist believes the experience will only accelerate her growth as she adjusts to the demands of the professional game.

     

    Beyond the result, Pepito was also overwhelmed by the reception she received from the fans, particularly the Ilocano crowd that packed the venue. Known primarily for her defensive brilliance rather than scoring, the rookie admitted she never expected to hear her name cheered so loudly during her first PVL appearance.

     

    “I was actually surprised that so many people were cheering for me. I never expected to be recognized like that as a libero. It feels great, and I hope it inspires future players to see that liberos can make a big impact and perform at a high level,” Pepito said.

     

    Her comments underscored the growing appreciation for defensive specialists in Philippine volleyball, where liberos have increasingly become fan favorites because of their hustle, consistency, and ability to anchor a team’s floor defense.

     

    Although Capital1 left its conference opener empty-handed, the Solar Spikers remain focused on bouncing back as they continue building chemistry with a roster featuring several newcomers. Pepito, for her part, is determined to keep learning from every match while overcoming the physical challenges that surfaced in her debut.

     

    The Solar Spikers will look to notch their first victory of the conference when they face perennial contenders Creamline Cool Smashers on Saturday, August 8, at the City of Santiago, with Pepito hoping to build on the positives from her professional debut and help steer Capital1 toward its first win of the campaign.

     

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  • Detdet Pepito ready for next chapter with Capital1 after lifelong PVL dream comes true

    Detdet Pepito ready for next chapter with Capital1 after lifelong PVL dream comes true

    Long before Detdet Pepito became one of the most decorated liberos in UAAP history, she was simply a young girl sitting on the sidelines, watching her older sisters play the sport she would eventually make her own.

     

    Years before the bright lights of the Premier Volleyball League and long before she became a household name at the University of Santo Tomas, Pepito’s first connection to volleyball came through family.

     

    Her sisters, Marge and MJ, were already competing at a high level for San Sebastian College in the NCAA during the late 2000s. While they battled on the court, their youngest sibling watched from afar, unknowingly planting the seeds for a journey that would one day bring her to the professional ranks.

     

    That dream officially became reality on draft night.

     

    Selected by Capital1 as one of the top picks in the 2026 PVL Draft, Pepito now finds herself stepping into the very league she once only imagined reaching.

     

    “I’m really grateful because this is a huge opportunity. During my final playing year, making it to the PVL was one of my main goals. That’s why I gave my best every game to prepare for this draft,” said Pepito.

     

    The road to that moment was anything but easy.

     

    Pepito built her reputation through years of consistency, discipline, and relentless defensive work. From her days representing UST in high school to becoming the heart of the Golden Tigresses’ floor defense in college, she established herself as one of the country’s premier liberos.

     

    Her collection of individual awards only reinforced that status, but behind every accolade was a dream that remained unchanged since childhood — earning a place in the country’s top professional league.

     

    For Marge, seeing her younger sister reach that milestone carried special meaning.

     

    “She grew up watching us play and saw our journey in the sport. She got inspired by what we were doing, and from there, volleyball became a big part of her life. I’m very happy that she has made it all the way to the PVL,” Marge said.

     

    Now Pepito joins a Capital1 team that suddenly finds itself among the most intriguing squads in the league.

     

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    The Solar Spikers already feature reigning Rookie of the Year Bella Belen, one of Pepito’s closest friends dating back to their elementary school days. The franchise also strengthened its roster by adding former Cignal stars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, creating a core filled with proven winners and award-winning talents.

     

    For Pepito, joining such a loaded lineup only added to the excitement.

     

    “When I heard there were already three MVPs on the team, I thought, ‘Wow, this team is really strong.’ When my name was called, it definitely added some pressure, but I’m more excited than anything,” Pepito said.

     

    “I know I’ll learn a lot from them, and hopefully we can build chemistry quickly since PVL On Tour is coming up. I’ll just keep giving my best.”

     

    While individual recognition helped define her collegiate career, Pepito enters the professional ranks with a different challenge ahead.

     

    Instead of carrying the expectations of being UST’s defensive anchor, she now joins a team with championship aspirations and a roster full of players expected to compete immediately.

     

    Her role may be different, but the approach remains the same.

     

    Pepito plans to bring the leadership, composure, and defensive stability that made her one of the UAAP’s most reliable players while adapting quickly to the system of head coach Jorge Souza de Brito.

     

    And just like the young girl who once watched her sisters chase their volleyball dreams, she is allowing herself to dream again.

     

    “Mangangarap kami, siyempre, na hopefully, sa amin din mapunta ‘yung championship,” Pepito said.

     

    This time, however, the dream is no longer about simply reaching the PVL.

     

    It’s about helping bring a title to Capital1 and writing the next chapter of a volleyball journey that started years ago on the sidelines.

     

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  • From Childhood Teammates to PVL Teammates: Detdet Pepito and Bella Belen reunite at Capital1 

    From Childhood Teammates to PVL Teammates: Detdet Pepito and Bella Belen reunite at Capital1 

    For most of their volleyball lives, Detdet Pepito and Bella Belen were known as rivals representing two of the most successful programs in the UAAP.

     

    One became the defensive backbone of the University of Santo Tomas. The other grew into the face of National University’s dynasty.

     

    Year after year, they battled on opposite sides of one of collegiate volleyball’s fiercest rivalries. Yet long before the championships, MVP awards, and packed arenas, they were simply two young athletes sharing the same court and chasing the same dream.

     

    On Wednesday night at the 2026 PVL Draft, that journey came full circle.

     

    Capital1 selected Pepito with the second overall pick, reuniting the decorated UST libero with Belen and transforming a childhood partnership into one of the most intriguing storylines of the upcoming PVL season.

     

    “Ngayong nandito ako sa PVL, siya yung ka-teammate ko and si Pia Abbu. Sobrang happy lang and excited ako na mas may matutunan din sa kanila,” Pepito told reporters.

     

    Their reunion is rooted in a history that predates their collegiate stardom.

     

    Before becoming household names in Philippine volleyball, both players learned the game at Lucas R. Pascual Elementary School in Quezon City under coach Henry Fernandez. Back then, their roles were vastly different. Belen played as a setter while Pepito was deployed as a spiker, years before each discovered the positions that would eventually define their careers.

     

    As their paths diverged, both built remarkable legacies.

     

    Pepito spent 11 years with the Golden Tigresses program and emerged as one of the most decorated liberos in UAAP history. Although a championship remained elusive, she collected six Best Libero awards and established herself as one of the most reliable defensive specialists the collegiate game has ever produced.

     

    Belen’s journey unfolded on an even grander scale. She became the centerpiece of National University’s era of dominance, capturing eight championships and five MVP awards while cementing her place among the greatest players ever to wear a Lady Bulldogs uniform.

     

    For years, their friendship existed alongside competition.

     

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    Now, for the first time since their childhood days, they will be working toward the same objective.

    “Habang papunta nga ako sa red carpet, tinitingnan ko siya. Nagto-throwback lang yung teammates kami since elementary,” Pepito shared.

     

    “Actually, mixed emotions, pero sobrang grateful and thankful lang talaga ako kay Lord na pinapangarap ko lang makapasok dito sa PVL and now, number two pick. Pressured, pero thankful pa rin talaga kay Lord, and I will try my best to help Capital1.”

     

    The timing of Pepito’s arrival could not be more significant for Capital1.

     

    The Solar Spikers have aggressively reshaped their roster during the offseason, adding proven talent in former Cignal stars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos while also selecting University of the East standout Khy Cepada later in the draft.

     

    With Belen already serving as the franchise cornerstone, Pepito gives the team another elite talent capable of contributing immediately.

     

    Still, the former UST libero knows that familiarity with Belen alone will not guarantee success.

    Capital1 enters the season with growing expectations, and developing chemistry with an increasingly talented roster remains the immediate priority.

     

    “I think slowly muna na siyempre, yung chemistry ng bago kong team and yung system na meron sila, kailangan ma-adapt ko muna. Mangangarap kami siyempre, hopefully sa amin din mapunta yung championship.“

     

    For Pepito and Belen, the story is no longer about school colors, rivalries, or individual achievements.

     

    After years of traveling separate roads through Philippine volleyball, the two childhood teammates have finally found themselves on the same side once again—this time with hopes of helping Capital1 build something special in the professional ranks.

     

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  • PVL Draft headlined by Detdet Pepito and Lams Lamina as 38 prospects prepare for selection night 

    PVL Draft headlined by Detdet Pepito and Lams Lamina as 38 prospects prepare for selection night 

    The Premier Volleyball League Draft is set to take center stage on Wednesday at Novotel Manila, with 38 hopefuls ready to hear their names called in what has become one of the most unpredictable draft classes in recent years. 


    What initially looked like an expected selection order has shifted dramatically following the withdrawals of Alyssa Solomon and Nina Ytang, opening the door for a deeper and more competitive talent pool.

     

    At the forefront of this year’s class are two of the most decorated collegiate players in recent UAAP seasons—National University’s two-time Best Setter Camilla Lamina and University of Santo Tomas’ two-time Best Libero Bernadett Pepito. 

     

    Their presence at the top immediately sets a tone of balance between playmaking precision and defensive excellence, two roles that often define long-term success in the professional game.

     

    With Galeries Tower holding the No. 1 overall pick after winning the draft lottery on May 25, followed by Capital1, Choco Mucho, and Akari, the early selections are expected to shape the league’s next competitive cycle.

     

    Beyond the headline names, attention has also shifted toward prospects who elevated their stock through the Draft Combine. 

     

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    Adamson’s Barbie Jamili stood out with top marks in the 10-meter sprint (1.759 seconds), pro agility 5-10-5 test (5.109 seconds), and hop test reactive strength index (3.36 meters per second), showcasing elite athletic explosiveness that could translate immediately at the professional level.

     

    University of the East’s Khy Cepada also delivered a strong all-around performance, finishing second in the 10-meter sprint (1.776 seconds) and countermovement jump (44.7 centimeters), while placing third in the pro agility test (5.133 seconds) and ranking consistently across other athletic benchmarks including hop test and approach jump metrics. These numbers have positioned both players as potential impact selections depending on team needs in the middle rounds.

     

    However, not all draft stories will unfold on stage. Far Eastern University’s Tin Ubaldo will skip the ceremony as she remains with the Alas Pilipinas Women pool preparing for international duty in the 2026 AVC Women’s Cup in Candon City, highlighting how national team commitments continue to intersect with professional league pathways.

     

    The final draft pool reflects the depth of UAAP volleyball talent across multiple programs, including UST’s Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula; UP’s Irah Jaboneta, Joan Monares, Heart Magsombol, and Jum Gayo; FEU’s Ann Asis and Florize Papa; De La Salle University’s Ela Raagas, Michelle Beterina, and Sophia Sindayen; UE’s Tin Ecalla and Kayce Balingit; Adamson’s Barbie Jamili; and Ateneo’s Taks Fujimoto. Adding an international dimension is Cal State Dominguez Hills’ Jade Fuentes, the lone Filipino-foreign applicant in this year’s class.

     

    Players who opted out of this year’s draft face a delayed professional entry, as league rules require reapplication in the next cycle. Since they did not participate in the draft proper, they will not be classified as free agents, reinforcing the PVL’s structured transition system from collegiate to professional play under Games and Amusements Board regulations.

     

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  • Detdet Pepito ready for PVL leap as former UST captain eyes new challenge with pro liberos 

    Detdet Pepito ready for PVL leap as former UST captain eyes new challenge with pro liberos 

    For more than a decade, Detdet Pepito’s volleyball identity was tied to the University of Santo Tomas.


    Now, as she steps into the professional ranks, the former Golden Tigresses captain is preparing to test herself against the very players she once watched from the sidelines.

     

    “Super excited ko kasi yun nga noon pinapanood ko lang sila, ngayon pa kayang makakalaban ko sila,” Pepito said.

     

    After 11 years of development under the UST system, Pepito enters the PVL Draft carrying both familiarity and uncertainty, the kind that comes with leaving a long-standing home and entering an entirely new competitive environment.

     

    Despite the transition, the two-time UAAP Best Libero remains firm on the qualities she plans to bring into the professional stage, especially the leadership that defined her collegiate career.

     

    “Siguro, unang-una po yung leadership ko, of course, and yung palagi ko talagang binibigay yung 101-percent ko during training pa lang po and syempre sa laro,” the UST captain said.

     

    But behind the confidence is a reality check that comes with professional adjustment. Pepito admitted that adapting to PVL routines has not been simple, especially with the shift in training schedules and overall system differences compared to collegiate life.

     

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    “Honestly, it’s been really hard. Even just the training schedule is a huge adjustment because most PVL teams train in the morning. In UST, we usually finished training late at night, so my body clock was really used to that,” she said.

     

    Still, instead of resisting change, Pepito has begun embracing it, even finding unexpected positives in the adjustment to a new routine.

     

    “Now I’m trying my best to adjust to morning training and to the overall PVL system. It’s difficult, but exciting too because after almost 11 years of training at night, now I’m training in the morning. Actually, I’ve noticed I become more productive after morning training because I still have the whole afternoon to do other things.”

     

    As the PVL Draft approaches on June 3 at Novotel Manila Araneta City, Pepito is part of a competitive pool of liberos that includes University of the Philippines’ Jum Gayo and Irah Jaboneta, as well as Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Lara Mae Silva, among others.

     

    The draft order places Galeries Tower on top with the first overall pick, followed by Capital1, Choco Mucho, ZUS Coffee, Akari, Nxled, Farm Fresh, PLDT, and Creamline.

     

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  • Smaller pool, bigger names: PVL Draft class still loaded with star power 

    Smaller pool, bigger names: PVL Draft class still loaded with star power 

    The 2026 PVL Rookie Draft may be the smallest in the league’s young history, but it hardly feels lacking in intrigue.

     

    Only 41 players made the final draft list released ahead of the June 3 selection day, a noticeable drop from previous years. But while the numbers dipped, the quality at the top of the class remained impossible to ignore.

     

    At the center of it all stands Alyssa Solomon — the towering National University opposite spiker widely expected to become the top overall pick after finally deciding to bring her game home following a season in Japan’s SV.League with Osaka Marvelous.

     

    Solomon’s arrival instantly gives this year’s draft its marquee attraction. The 6-foot-1 hitter spent the past year sharpening her game overseas, helping Osaka Marvelous reach the finals while producing 147 points across 30 matches against elite international competition.

     

    And yet, even beyond Solomon, this year’s class offers plenty of proven winners, decorated collegiate stars, and intriguing long-term prospects.

     

    National University continues to leave a massive imprint on the local volleyball landscape, with two-time UAAP Best Setter Lams Lamina also entering the draft after helping sustain the Lady Bulldogs’ dynasty run in recent years.

     

    University of the Philippines star Nina Ytang likewise headlines the frontcourt talent pool after carving out a historic collegiate career as the first four-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker. Her dominance at the net made her one of the most feared middle blockers of her generation and now positions her as one of the most coveted names available.

     

    Defense, meanwhile, gets its own headline act through UST libero Detdet Pepito, whose floor coverage and consistency made her one of the most reliable back-row anchors in the collegiate ranks.

     

    Several established scorers are also making the leap to the pros.

     

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    Former UST standouts Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula headline the wing spiker group together with UP’s Irah Jaboneta, Joan Monares, Heart Magsombol, and Jum Gayo. Far Eastern University sends Tin Ubaldo, Ann Asis, and Florize Papa into the draft, while La Salle adds Ela Raagas, Michelle Beterina, and Sophia Sindayen to the mix.

     

    The talent pool stretches beyond the UAAP as well.

     

    Letran’s Lara Mae Silva, Natalie Estreller, and Julienne Castro banner the NCAA hopefuls alongside San Sebastian’s Katherine Santos, Christina Marasigan, and Kristine Dionisio. Other collegiate programs such as JRU, Lyceum, Mapua, San Beda, and Perpetual also have representatives hoping to earn professional opportunities.

     

    One of the more intriguing names in the draft is Fil-foreign hitter Jade Fuentes, who previously suited up for La Salle before continuing her career with Cal State Dominguez Hills in the United States. Fuentes recently expressed excitement about returning to Philippine volleyball and embracing what she called the country’s unmatched competitive atmosphere.

     

    Provincial standouts Kirsty Destajo of UNC-Sorsogon and Angel Galinato of the University of San Carlos also cracked the final list, further highlighting the expanding reach of the PVL talent search beyond Metro Manila’s traditional power schools.

     

    Now, despite having fewer applicants than previous years, the draft still feels capable of reshaping several franchises.

     

    Because while the class may be smaller, the names attached to it carry expectations of becoming the league’s next wave of stars.

     

     

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  • Detdet Pepito aims to carry the UST mindset into the Premier Volleyball League as she enters the Rookie Draft

    Detdet Pepito aims to carry the UST mindset into the Premier Volleyball League as she enters the Rookie Draft

    For Detdet Pepito, the move to the pros is not about changing who she is, it’s about carrying everything she learned and lived through at the collegiate level into a bigger stage.


    As she officially enters the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft on June 3, the former captain and libero of the UST Golden Tigresses is anchoring her mindset on UST’s mentality.

     

    That identity was built in España — on grit, resilience, and the trademark “puso” culture that defined UST volleyball through years of battles in the UAAP.

     

    “I think ano talaga, small but terrible.”

     

    “Hindi lang naman talaga kami gifted sa height, pero maaasahan mo kami pagdating sa laro, syempre. Talaga ang UST pag naglalaro, puso talaga,” the two-time UAAP Best Libero said.

     

    Now, she hopes that same identity can translate to the professional level. Pepito enters the draft after completing five years with the Golden Tigresses, closing a collegiate chapter where she served as both leader and defensive anchor. But instead of viewing the transition as leaving UST behind, she sees it as extending its legacy.

     

    “Siyempre happy and proud kasi nga tatlo kaming from UST and sana lang mapakita namin kung ano yung mga learnings na nakuha namin from UST,” she said.

     

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    Alongside teammates Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula, Pepito now steps into a new environment where systems are faster, opponents are stronger, and expectations are higher, but she believes the foundation she built in UST will still hold.

     

    Even as she prepares for the adjustment, she remains grounded in the same mindset that carried her through collegiate pressure moments.

     

    “Of course hindi ko masyado pini-pressure talaga yung sarili ko. Siyempre, once in a lifetime lang naman ito, so hanggat maaari gusto kong enjoyin,” she said.

     

    Still, enjoyment does not mean losing edge. For Pepito, competitiveness remains non-negotiable — only now, it comes with a sense of pride in representing where she came from.

     

    “Pero siyempre yung pagiging competitive, nandun pa rin. Siyempre pride din ang UST yung dala namin.”

     

    As she prepares for the next step in her career, Pepito is not leaving her identity behind — she is bringing it with her, hoping the same “puso” that defined her years in green and gold will also define her future in the professional game.

     

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  • Several collegiate standouts set for PVL move, UAAP champion DLSU Lady Spikers seniors yet to decide on turning pro

    Several collegiate standouts set for PVL move, UAAP champion DLSU Lady Spikers seniors yet to decide on turning pro

    As the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball comes to an end, attention has quickly shifted from championship celebrations to career-defining decisions.


    For some players, the next chapter is already clear — the professional stage awaits. For others, one more season in the collegiate spotlight remains possible. And then there is the unique case of the newly crowned champions from De La Salle University Lady Spikers, whose future continues to fuel intrigue after ending the season with perfection.

     

    Fresh off a dominant 16-0 campaign that culminated in reclaiming the UAAP crown, the Lady Spikers left fans speculating after their now-viral post-game “archer stance” celebration. 

     

    Traditionally, graduating players stand at the center of the formation, but this time, no one occupied the middle spot. The gesture immediately sparked conversations that La Salle’s core could return intact for Season 89.

     

    Notably, Angel Canino, Amie Provido, Lyka de Leon, and Shevana Laput all remain eligible for another year, leaving the possibility of a title-defense campaign very much alive.

     

    After La Salle completed its championship conquest against National University Lady Bulldogs in Game 2 of the Finals, Canino revealed that the decision behind the formation came from head coach Ramil de Jesus, adding even more mystery to the plans of the team’s senior stars.

     

    While La Salle’s future remains open-ended, several of the league’s other stars are already preparing to close their collegiate chapters.

     

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    For National University, the season marked the emotional farewell of veteran setter Lams Lamina, who wrapped up her five-year UAAP journey after the Lady Bulldogs settled for runner-up honors against La Salle. Despite falling short in the Finals, Lamina leaves behind a decorated legacy as one of NU’s steady leaders during its recent rise back into contention.

     

    Meanwhile, NU captain Vange Alinsug now finds herself at a major crossroads. The rising star admitted that her next move remains undecided as she weighs two different paths — returning to lead the Lady Bulldogs’ redemption bid in Season 89 or following Lamina into the professional ranks.

     

    The second runner up, University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, is already beginning to take shape.

     

    The Tigresses are set to lose longtime captain and defensive anchor Detdet Pepito after completing her five playing years with the program. 

     

    At the same time, Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula are preparing to make the jump to the professional level, with both expected to continue their careers in the Premier Volleyball League.

     

    Still, UST retains a key piece for next season as Regine Jurado committed to stay for her fifth year, giving the Tigresses an experienced presence as they attempt another Final Four push.

     

    Moreover, University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons standout Niña Ytang ended her collegiate run by cementing her reputation as one of the league’s premier middle blockers. 

     

    Ytang captured her fourth UAAP Best Middle Blocker award before turning her focus toward the professional ranks and life beyond collegiate volleyball.

     

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  • UST’s Detdet Pepito ends UAAP career as Bella Belen honors her journey beyond school rivalry 

    UST’s Detdet Pepito ends UAAP career as Bella Belen honors her journey beyond school rivalry 

    For Detdet Pepito, the final whistle of UST’s UAAP Season 88 campaign marked more than just a semifinal exit at the hands of the NU Lady Bulldogs—it signaled the closing chapter of an 11-year journey defined by consistency, resilience, and evolution.

     

    Long before she became the defensive anchor and captain of the UST Golden Tigresses, Pepito was already building her legacy in black and gold. From her high school days, she stood out not just for her skill, but for her steadiness—a trait that would eventually define her career.

     

    She was part of UST’s runner-up finishes from Seasons 78 to 80, then helped steer the program to back-to-back bronze medals in Seasons 81 and 82. Along the way, she collected Best Libero honors from Seasons 79 to 82, establishing herself early as one of the most reliable defenders in the league.

     

    Her transition to the seniors division didn’t slow her down. Pepito added more accolades to her name, including Best Libero awards in Seasons 85 and 86. She helped bring UST back to the Finals in Season 86 before closing her collegiate career with consecutive third-place finishes in Seasons 87 and 88.

     

    But numbers and awards only tell part of the story. Across the net stood someone who knew Pepito long before the bright lights of the UAAP—Bella Belen. From childhood teammates to fierce collegiate rivals, their journeys have been intertwined in ways few athletes experience.

     

    As NU ended UST’s run, Belen found herself reflecting not just on the match, but on the person behind the jersey.

     

    “Siyempre, super proud ako kay Detdet kasi ang laki rin ng growth niya as a person and as an athlete,” she said.

     

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    Their shared history gave Belen a front-row seat to Pepito’s transformation—one she described with both humor and admiration.

     

    “Dati, jeje lang siya,” Belen said with a laugh, clearly in jest. “Ngayon, nakikita ko na siya talagang leader sa team niya.”

     

    While their paths eventually diverged—meeting as opponents in high school and later in the UAAP, including NU’s triumph over UST in the Season 86 Finals—the connection remained deeper than competition. 

     

    For Belen, Pepito’s true evolution wasn’t rooted in skill, but in mindset.

    “Kasi yung skills, magaling na talaga siya eh. Pero yung sa mental aspect, doon, mas lalo siyang tumibay,” she shared.

     

    That mental toughness became most evident in Pepito’s final season, where she led UST with composure and determination, fully aware that every game could be her last.

     

    Pepito had long chosen to extend her collegiate stay, delaying a professional career to maximize her time in the UAAP. Now, with that chapter officially closed, attention shifts to what comes next.

    And if Belen had her way, the story wouldn’t end with them on opposite sides.

     

    “Sino ba naman po kasi ang hindi gugustong maging teammate si Detdet? Sobrang galing niya na player, and sobrang gaan niya pakisamahan,” she said.

     

    From childhood teammates to rivals—and perhaps future teammates once more—the story of Pepito and Belen proves that some connections in sports go beyond wins, losses, or even time.

     

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  • UST skipper Detdet Pepito urges Golden Tigresses to rediscover its heart as Final Four race tightens

    UST skipper Detdet Pepito urges Golden Tigresses to rediscover its heart as Final Four race tightens

    For all the talent, depth, and optimism that surrounded University of Santo Tomas entering UAAP Season 88, the Golden Tigresses have reached the stretch of the season still searching for the one thing they thought they already had figured out—who they are when the pressure rises.

     

    Ten games into the women’s volleyball tournament, UST remains alive in the Final Four race, but not in the way many expected. Instead of firmly planting itself among the top contenders, the Golden Tigresses head into the Holy Week break clinging to position, caught in a three-way tie for third to fifth place with Adamson and FEU at 6-4.

     

    That standing alone does not tell the full story. UST did not enter the season as a team simply hoping to stay in the semifinal conversation. It entered believing this was its clearest path to a title in years.

     

    The pieces were all there. The core remained intact, key players Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula returned healthy, and the team added promising young frontcourt help in high school standouts Avril Bron and Lianne Penuliar. On paper, it looked like the kind of lineup built not just to compete, but to seriously threaten the traditional powers.

     

    And yet, through 10 games, UST has looked less like a finished contender and more like a team still trying to convince itself that it belongs where it once expected to be.

     

    That internal battle was perhaps most painfully exposed in its showdown against unbeaten De La Salle last March 25. The Golden Tigresses had the defending standard-bearers where they wanted them, with the match tied at one set apiece and UST surging to a commanding 20-12 lead in the third. It felt like the moment the Tigresses had been waiting for—the chance to make a statement, perhaps even reshape the season.

     

    Instead, it became a collapse that still lingers. La Salle stormed all the way back to steal the third set, 25-23, before rolling through the fourth to complete a 25-12, 18-25, 25-23, 25-14 victory. What could have been UST’s defining breakthrough instead became another reminder of how fragile the team can still look when momentum shifts.

     

    To its credit, UST did not let that loss spiral into another stumble. The Golden Tigresses responded with a four-set win over FEU, 25-17, 25-17, 18-25, 25-17, at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday, a result that kept them afloat and forced the crowded tie in the middle of the standings. But even that bounce-back win felt less like a full reset and more like a team buying itself time.

     

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    For captain Detdet Pepito, the issue now goes beyond tactics or rotations. For her, what UST still needs to recover is something deeper.

     

    “I think ‘yung puso. Kasi nakita natin na ‘yung puso ng La Salle nung time na yun, until now parang hindi pa rin kami makapaniwala na nahabol kami up 20-12,” said Pepito, pointing to the emotional edge she believes remains missing from their game.

     

    “Kailangan pang mas mahalin ‘yung ginagawa, kailangan mas laliman pa ‘yung reason kung bakit kami naglalaro.”

     

    That kind of reflection says a lot about where UST currently stands. This is not a team lacking in talent or skill. If anything, that may be what makes its uneven campaign more frustrating. The Golden Tigresses have shown flashes of how dangerous they can be when everything clicks, but they have not yet shown they can sustain that level long enough to truly separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

     

    And in a season where De La Salle University has looked untouchable at 10-0, the rest of the field has been left fighting for position, consistency, and belief.

     

    Pepito, however, is not ready to let her team lose sight of its own ceiling.“Sinasabi ko sa kanila kung gaano kami kalakas as individuals and as a team. Doon lang po talaga kami lagi tumitingin kasi iniiwasan naming tingnan kung gaano kalakas yung kalaban kasi di ba doon kami minsan natatalo na namamangha kami kung anong kaya ng kalaban pero hindi namin alam kung hanggang saan din yung kaya naming gawin,” said the two-time UAAP Best Libero.

     

    “Sana mas madala pa po namin yung ganoong mindset na UST pa rin kami, hindi pa rin kami dapat basta-basta nagpapatalo.”

     

    That may now be UST’s biggest challenge over its final four elimination games—not simply winning enough to reach the Final Four, but finally playing with the identity of a team that believes it belongs there.

     

    The path remains open. The Golden Tigresses still have games left against University of the East, Adamson University, University of the Philippines, and National University. Those matches will likely decide whether UST’s season becomes the breakthrough many predicted—or a year defined by what it could never quite hold together.

     

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