UST’s Poyos all praises for outgoing teammate Pepito

MANILA, Philippines — Detdet Pepito may have fallen short of winning a UAAP title, but her impact will last long.

Just ask her University of Santo Tomas teammate Angge Poyos.

Pepito has finished her UAAP playing career Saturday after falling to defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs, 20-25, 26-24, 26-24, 25-21 in the stepladder Final Four.

This thus ended the Golden Tigresses’ campaign — a roller-coaster ride that saw them rise from the brink of elimination to the second round of the semifinals.

Poyos, after Saturday’s match, said that she is “very honored” to play with Pepito.

“Very proud ako sa kaniya. Chinerish ko lang yung moment na kasama ko si Ate Detdet kasi aalis na siya. So, yung leadership niya and pag-guide niya sa amin, walang katumbas,” she told reporters.

“Talagang very proud ako sa kaniya.”

Poyos added that she saw Pepito embody the love of volleyball.

“Yung pagmamahal nang buo. Committed talaga siya na ipaglaban and mahalin ang UST, lalong-lalo na yung team. Yun talaga ang pinaka-lesson na nakuha ko sa kaniya.”

To cap off her career, Pepito tallied 23 digs and eight receptions, including five excellent sets against NU.

The defensive ace, who has been in Espana since her high school years, won two Best Libero awards during her collegiate career.

Now, she is expected to make the jump to the pros.

“Grateful ako sa experience. Walang katulad ang UAAP,” Pepito said in a separate interview.

Now, the team will be led by Poyos and Cassie Carballo. Veterans Xyza Gula, Jonna Perdido and Reg Jurado have not confirmed whether they will stay in UST moving forward.

Meanwhile, Poyos stressed that she was not satisfied with her performance in the do-or-die matchup with the Lady Bulldogs. She finished with 16 points, to go with 13 receptions and 10 digs in the loss.

Still, she focused on the silver linings on the season that was.

“Talagang inilaban namin. Personally, hindi ako nasatisfy sa performance ko, pero at least, andito kami. Maraming naghangad na makapasok sa Final Four at makapag-bronze so at least, nailaban namin this season,” Poyos said.

“Maraming downs ang nangyari sa amin this season, and forever grateful na nailaban namin hanggang dulo.”