AFTER National U eliminated Detdet Pepito and University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 88 stepladder, former rookie-MVP Bella Belen was all smiles for her alma mater.
At the same time, she was just as quick to show pride for her best friend whose collegiate journey had come to a close.
“Siyempre, super proud ako kay Detdet kasi ang laki rin ng growth niya as a person and as an athlete,” Belen told SPIN.ph right after the Lady Bulldogs triumphed over the Golden Tigresses in their knockout bout last Saturday.
The onetime NU star witnessed the UST stalwart's growth from the very beginning, dating back to their days as teammates at Lucas Pascual Memorial Elementary School.
“Dati, jeje lang siya,” Belen said with a laugh, clearly in jest. “Ngayon, nakikita ko na siya talagang leader sa team niya.”
READ: Pepito secure with her legacy in UST as she reluctantly turns pro
After those early years, the two found themselves on opposite sides of the net - first as high school standouts, then as collegiate rivals - with Belen and the gold-and-blue often getting the better in their matchups, highlighted by their victory in the Season 86 Finals.
But beyond the wins and losses, the now-Capital1 franchise player emphasized that Pepito’s biggest leap was never just about talent.
“Kasi yung skills, magaling na talaga siya eh. Pero yung sa mental aspect, doon, mas lalo siyang tumibay,” Belen said, noting how that was especially evident in the Golden Tigresses' skipper's last go-round.
Joining forces again?
Pepito had long expressed her desire to stretch her collegiate career as much as possible, holding off on going pro, but with National U ultimately closing that chapter, the focus now shifts to what lies ahead.
And Belen already has an idea she believes would work best for her and her bestie.
“Sino ba naman po kasi ang hindi gugustong maging teammate si Detdet? Sobrang galing niya na player, and sobrang gaan niya pakisamahan,” she said, on the topic of teaming up once more, this time for the Solar Spikers.
“Siguro po, kung bibigyan ng pagkakataon, why not? Hopefully, maging magka-teammate kami soon, kung saan man.”
From carefree elementary teammates to longtime rivals and now, possibly, teammates yet again, Belen’s words captured a full-circle journey - one that has always been defined not just by competition, but by growth and shared history.
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