STANDING at the forefront of two of UAAP women’s volleyball’s hottest teams to date are two proven leaders who share a special bond that has stood the test of time.
Unbeaten league-leader University of Sto. Tomas libero-captain Detdet Pepito and National University ace spiker Bella Belen used to share the be on the same side of the court way back in their elementary school years as Palarong Pambansa teammates for the National Capital Region.
In fact, they had completely different career paths back then, with Belen playing libero at one point and Pepito taking on spiking duties.
READ: Bella Belen says NU Lady Bulldogs can't afford another loss
Fast forward to the biggest stage in college volleyball, Pepito’s 8-0 Tigresses dealt Belen & Co. a proper straight-sets beating on opening weekend — one that the Lady Bulldogs will look to make amends for in their forthcoming second-round rematch.
“Dapat ‘yung consistency namin, nandun talaga kasi lalo na’t UST kalaban namin next game and undefeated pa sila and nu’ng nagkalaban kami, na-straight sets nila kami. Dapat ‘yung laro namin, hindi siya inconsistent kasi once na maunahan kami ng UST, mahihirapan kaming makahabol. ‘Yun ‘yung nangyari sa first game namin,” said Belen.
“Yung UST kasi, ‘pag binigyan mo sila ng errors kapag sila kalaban mo, talagang [i-ttake advantage] nila ‘yung time na ‘ah nag-eerror sila,’ so kami dapat ‘di kami mag-error. Ganun sila eh, palaban talaga sila na dapat pagdating namin sa game namin sa UST, hindi kami ma-error. Tiwala lang sa sarili.”
Pepito, however, underscored how the Tigresses must remain mentally sound with their decision-making against a feisty Lady Bulldogs side and stick with their winning system that has so far clicked, results-wise.
“[Kailangang mag-improve] ‘yung decision-making [namin], especially sa setting, kasi kailangan naming sundin kung ano ‘yung instructions ng coaches. ‘Yung nangyari (against Ateneo), tumataliwas ‘yung sinasabi ng coaches sa ginagawa namin. Kaya, this coming game (versus NU), sana mas pagkatiwalaan pa namin ‘yung coaches kasi sila ‘yung mas nakakaalam kung paano kami makakakuha ng panalo,” said Pepito.
Friendly fire
In recent first-round interviews, Belen and Pepito ribbed each other multiple times ahead of their grudge match. With the NU star’s floor defense numbers on the rise, Belen’s fun yet competitive aura was on full display as she stressed how she won’t back down from her forthcoming faceoff with her good pal Pepito.
“‘Yung defense po namin, magiging malaking factor siya sa game namin against UST. ‘Yung UST po, ma-depensa sila eh. Na-recall ko po before nu’ng game namin (Round 1), parang halos anim na libero ‘yung nasa kabila, talagang ‘di mamatay ‘yung palo namin.
“Kaya sa training pa lang, ang naka-mindset talaga sa’kin, dapat ‘yung depensa namin is maganda. At para mapaganda ‘yun, ipapakita ko sa team ko na kaya naman namin, na kaya ng bawat isa sa’min na dumepensa nang maganda at maging consistent,” Belen said.
“Laban po kami ni Detdet (Pepito). Di po ako papatalo kay Detdet […] Excited na kong makatapat si Detdet. Shoutout sa 'yo!”
Pepito responded: “Ready na po (ako makatapat si Bella). Gusto ko na nga kunin sa team eh, charot! Ready lang din po ako sa kanya as always.”
For either the Tigresses’ ninth straight win or the Lady Bulldogs’ seventh, UST and NU will duke it out for the second time this season on Sunday, 4 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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