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Can Detdet Pepito’s prediction age like fine wine at the end of UAAP Season 88?
Detdet Pepito did not hold back when asked about UST’s chances at winning it all in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Now in her final year with the Golden Tigresses, Pepito believes this could be their best shot at bringing an elusive UAAP title back to España.
“How do I like [our chances]? Syempre 100 percent. ‘Yun nga, sinabi ko na iilan lang ‘yung teams na buo pa rin, so ito na talaga ‘yung best chance to get this championship,” Pepito said during the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Volleyball Press Conference on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Though competition at the top remains stiff, Pepito has reasons to be optimistic. Spikers Xyza Gula and Jonna Perdido are healthy again for Season 88, rejoining a core featuring star opposite Reg Jurado, Rookie of the Year-MVP Angge Poyos, promising middle blocker Marga Altea, and setter Cassie Carballo.
Even the Tigresses’ new mentor, Shaq Delos Santos, brings a sense of familiarity, being one of ex-coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes’ deputies since Season 86 (2024).
“Babalik si Jonah and si Xyza this season. So happy and excited din kasi nga almost complete ‘yung Season 86 namin na players. So sana mabigay lang namin ‘yung best namin together with them,” Pepito, recalling UST’s Cinderella run, shared.
Since establishing their “Mini Miss” identity, it’s been a tale of near-misses for Detdet Pepito and UST. In Season 86, they finished as runners-up to a formidable National U squad, before the injury bug derailed their shot at the title for Season 87.
But with key stars back in the lineup, along with a familiar face on the sidelines, Pepito reiterated that nothing less than the gold should be the goal for her and the Golden Tigresses.
“Kung kailan last year ko na, parang doon ko naramdaman ‘yung pressure kasi hindi lang naman talaga third place or second place ‘yung pinaguusapan. Isa kami sa mga teams na buo pa rin,” she said.
“So ineenjoy lang namin and kailangan namin talagang paghirapan para maganda ‘yung mapakita namin and makabawi kami this season.”
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.