Pepito, Golden Tigresses upbeat on UAAP volleyball title hopes

MANILA, Philippines — With an intact core, University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigress Detdet Pepito believes that this season is their best chance to ascend to the throne once again.

UST has yet to win a UAAP title since Season 72, when the Rhea Dimaculangan-led squad brought home the crown to Espana.

But now, with a core mostly made up of the team that finished second to the National University Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 86, Pepito voiced confidence with their squad’s chances this time around.

“So happy kasi excited din kasi almost complete yung Season 86 namin na players,” Pepito told reporters at the sidelines of the UAAP Season 88 press conference Wednesday.

“Sana mabigay lang namin yung best namin together with them.”

Pepito will continue to be the leader of the team, along with Angge Poyos and Reg Jurado.

Returning players Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula will likewise add much-needed firepower for the Tigresses.

Interestingly, the man who led UST to the title back in Season 72, Shaq delos Santos, will call the shots for the Espana-based squad this season.

Pepito, though, admitted that she is feeling the pressure in her final year.

“Hindi lang naman talaga third place, second place yung pinag-uusapan. Kasi isa kami sa mga teams na buo pa rin. Ano lang, ine-enjoy lang po namin. Kailangan namin talagang paghihirapan, para maganda yung mapakita namin, then makabawi kami,” she said.

“Ilan lang yung teams na buo pa rin. So, ito na yung best talaga na chance to get this championship po.”

UST will face an early acid test in Season 88 as it takes on three-peat seeking National University at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.