THE dawn of a younger, new era awaits University of Sto. Tomas after the ace trio Eya Laure, Imee Hernandez, and Milena Alessandrini bid the Tigresses farewell.
It will now be the likes of reigning UAAP best libero Det Pepito and star spiker Reg Jurado who'll be at the forefront of the squad's bid to bring the crown back to España for the first time in 14 years.
READ: Seniors Gagate, Coronel embrace leadership roles at La Salle
While acknowledging their ongoing rebuild following the departures of their seniors, Pepito shared how the Tigresses have been coping with such a huge change.
"Since rebuilding team talaga kami, bago sa amin ito kasi nga bago lahat. Mga bata kaming naiwan. Mahirap siya kasi malaking kawalan po talaga sina Ate Eya (Laure) as a leader and as seniors.
"[And] so far from our previous league, which is Shakey’s (Super League), naging okay naman po since parang wala kaming expectations pero ayun, nag-perform naman po kami and mas naglaro kami na walang pressure. Nakita po namin na kaya naman pala talaga na wala sina Ate Eya," said Pepito.
Jurado added: "Parang tinanggap lang rin [namin] na ganun talaga 'yung nangyayari, like people come and people go. All we have to do is adjust lang po and train, cooperate with the new members, and rebuild yung team. 'Di naman kami start from scratch kasi may na-reach naman kami. Maging mas consistent lang (dapat) and mag-improve."
Young blood taking over
The Tigresses came close to reaching the Finals prior to stumbling in the Final Four against eventual champions La Salle. But Pepito and Jurado, young as they are, couldn't be hungrier and eager to change the narrative this season.
"From last season kasi, kapag kinompare mo 'yung mga players last season, parang nandun na lahat — sina Ate Milena (Alessandrini), Ate Eya, Ate Imee (Hernandez). Feeling ko 'yung time na 'yun, sobrang strong na namin [kaya] parang sayang last season. This season, mas gutom kami kasi nga sayang last season. So ngayon po mas motivated kami, lalo na kaming mga bata," Pepito said.
"We want po na may ma-prove naman kami na at least from our pool of players, parang may ma-reach kami sa team namin kahit kami-kami [na 'yung natira]," added Jurado.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
