IN what has been a tricky UAAP Season 88 campaign, University of Santo Tomas captain Detdet Pepito found her biggest win yet in her final playing year.
READ: UST repeats over FEU to create three-way tie at third
Taking down longtime rival Far Eastern University at the Quadricentennial Pavilion not only sealed a season sweep as it carried personal weight for Pepito.
“Bilang last playing year ko na, sobrang saya kasi sinabi ko nga na, ‘Yes, hindi ako ga-graduate nang talo sa FEU.’ Nakabawi talaga kami ng 2-0 [this season],” she said.
“Malaking pride sa school namin ‘yun.”
It was redemption, too, after ending up winless against the Lady Tamaraws in Season 87.
Sharper claws
From a 2-3 start, UST has turned the tables, winning four of its last five to stay firmly in the Final Four hunt.
For Pepito, the surge only confirmed what they already believed and what went missing to begin with.
“Nakita namin na nandu’n na kami. Talagang konti na lang,” she said. “I think ‘yung puso talaga. Kailangan pang mas mahalin ‘yung ginagawa. Kailangan mas lalim pa yung reason ba't kami naglalaro.”
As captain, Pepito made sure that belief spread across the roster, knowing that this young UST side had the pieces not just to contend, but to go all the way.
“Lagi ko lang nire-remind kung gaano kami kalakas as individuals and as a team. Ganun po talaga kami lagi tumitingin kasi iniiwasan naming tignan kung gaano kalakas ‘yung mga kalaban,” Pepito said.
“Du’n kami minsan natatalo na parang namamangha kami kung ano ‘yung kayang gawin ng kalaban, pero hindi namin alam kung hanggang saan rin ‘yung kaya namin gawin.
“Sana mas madala pa po namin ‘yung ganung approach na UST pa rin kami, hindi pa rin kami dapat basta-basta nagpapatalo.”
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