FANS kept tabs on team captain Detdet Pepito’s fighting words after University of Santo Tomas' second round meeting with Far Eastern University at the Quadricentennial Pavilion last month.
Without knowing what lay ahead, Pepito spoke with conviction about signing off from the UAAP on the winning side of a storied rivalry.
In her own words, '‘Di ako ga-graduate nang talo sa FEU.’
That statement, however, got an asterisk beside it all of a sudden, with the Golden Tigresses and the Lady Tamaraws having to fight over the fourth and final playoff berth.
Just like that, the veteran libero was at risk of having her words thrown back at her - and more importantly, exiting Espana earlier than expected.
READ: Detdet Pepito, still: ''Di ako ga-graduate nang talo sa FEU'
With their season on the line, however, Pepito helped with the heavy lifting, as UST ousted FEU, now owning a spot in the stepladder playoffs.
Very much on brand, the black-and-gold skipper admitted her fighting words lingered in her mind heading into the do-or-die clash.
“Actually, kinabahan din ako du’n,” she told SPIN.ph.
“Oh my God, iniisip ko na talaga ‘yun. Parang isa ‘yun sa mga extra baggage ko na, ‘Shocks, baka bawian kami ng FEU.”
Nerves soon gave way to relief, as Pepito anchored the floor defense with 18 receptions and 15 digs en route to a four-set win.
“Happy lang talaga kasi hindi naman talaga madaling kalaban ‘yung FEU,” she said.
“Proud lang din ulit kasi alam naming hindi talaga bibigay basta-basta ‘yung FEU. Siyempre, bilang Thomasian, grabe ‘yung pride ko kasi last year nga, ‘di ba, hindi kami nanalo sa kanila.”
No pro
Pepito also opened up about the emotional toll leading up to what could have been her final UAAP game.
This, even though she pleaded with her teammates to let her play with them a little longer.
READ: Pepito calls on UST teammates to keep her from turning pro
On the eve of the playoff, she let everything out.
“Sa teammates ko, talagang iniiyakan ko ‘yan. Kagabi pa lang, nagmamakaawa na ako. Sabi ko, 'Ayoko pang mag-pro. So please, habaan pa natin ang buhay natin dito,'” she said.
“Kaya sobrang grateful lang din sa mga coaches na talagang todo effort para magising ‘yung isa’t-isa. And, siyempre, sa mga teammates ko, salamat dahil nagpagising kayo.”
Now wide awake, the Golden Tigresses move on with their title hopes intact.
For Pepito, at the very least, those are now two wishes granted.
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