IN just a few hours, Detdet Pepito could be playing the last match of her storied career in University of Santo Tomas.
The Golden Tigresses' libero-slash-leader faces what could be her last time on the UAAP stage if she and her teammates fall in the playoff for No. 4 against Far Eastern University.
This has been a head-to-head the black-and-gold has owned this year, winning both elimination round meetings, including one on their home floor at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
And it was there, in the heart of España, where Pepito took pride in what she thought was her final encounter with the Lady Tamaraws.
“Bilang last playing year ko na, sobrang saya kasi sinabi ko nga na ‘‘Di ako ga-graduate nang talo sa FEU.’ Malaking pride sa school namin ‘yun,” she expressed then.
Little did she know at the time that the rivalry had one chapter left to be written.
READ: FEU sends NU pansit for help in keeping Lady Tams alive
A do-or-die duel now looms, with one team moving on to the next round and the other seeing its campaign come to an abrupt end.
Make the most of the moment
For Pepito, who is set to turn pro after the season, the stakes are even higher.
“‘Yung pressure, nandun na kasi siyempre, do-or-die na, lalo na sa akin, kaya ang hirap lang din,” she said.
“Kailangan mapakita ko sa mga bata na mabigat man ‘yung nakasalalay du’n, kailangan naming mag-enjoy. Lagi kong sinasabi na ‘pag nag-enjoy kami, mas madaling manalo.”
With practically everything on the line, Pepito knows it will take more than familiarity to get past an FEU side determined to fight for its place in the Final Four.
“Kailangan namin ng strength this coming Saturday dahil alam naming mas gigil silang (FEU) bumawi,” she said.
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