UAAP: Detdet Pepito returns for final year with UST Tigresses

UST Golden Tigresses Detdet Pepito is set to return for one more year in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Five days after University of Santo Tomas’ Final Four exit in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, Detdet Pepito has decided to play one more year for the Tigresses.

Pepito has granted the UST community’s wish for her to return in Season 88 next year as she decided to use her fifth and final playing year of eligibility.

READ: UAAP: UST captain Pepito still unsure of return for final year

Pepito’s management, Hustle and Groove, and UST deputy coach Yani Fernandez confirmed to Inquirer Sports the star libero’s decision after the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics director Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P. posted a photo of him with Pepito and Jonna Perdido with a caption “one more year.”

Pepito left everything on the floor with 25 digs and 14 excellent receptions only for UST to fall to the twice-to-beat La Salle, 22-25, 25-11, 21-25, 21-25, on Saturday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After a lengthy team meeting at the dugout, Pepito with fellow graduating player Pia Abbu were showered with love as the UST fans and members were chanting “one more year” until they entered the bus before midnight struck.

The two-time UAAP Best Libero said on Sunday that she was unsure about one last run with the Tigresses next year but she list numerous reasons for want to stay in the UAAP.

UST captain libero Detdet Pepito turns emotional after a loss to La Salle in UAAP women’s volleyball Final Four.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“Definitely the coaches, Father (Rodel), my teammate, and the UST community—it’s really something else. The support we get is on another level,” Pepito told reporters in Filipino. “Like what Ate Eya (Laure) said is true: ‘The UAAP is different.’ It really is, and so is the way UST supports us. So, of course, we still want to experience that… but we’ll see.”

True enough, her love for UST has made her stay. In her last run, she is expected to lead the Tigresses redemption tour with Perdido, who missed the season due to an ACL injury last November, rejoining Angge Poyos, Reg Jurado, Marga Altea, Em Banagua, and setter Cassie Carballo.

Pia Abbu and Ren Peñafiel, meanwhile, have decided to enter the upcoming PVL Draft, according to Hustle and Groove.

With Abbu joining the draft, she remained proud of her squad despite the bronze finish in her final playing year.

“I’m super proud of my teammates and my coaches. We all know how much work we put into this. The sacrifices were huge. We couldn’t be with our families, we had to stay far from them. We couldn’t leave because we had to train. But despite everything, I’m still really grateful,” said Abbu.

“Like our coaches always say, a lot of people wish they were in our place right now, and not everyone gets the chance to reach the Final Four. So we’re thankful we even got a podium finish, we got the bronze.”