THOMASIAN VOLLEYBALL superstar Detdet Pepito personified what “heart over height” is all about in her eleven years of bright smiles and jolly demeanor on-and-off the taraflex.
From high school to college, Pepito anchored the back row of the Golden Tigresses to eight podium finishes.
Undeniably, the 5-foot-2 libero has become “Mini Miss UST.” She is petite yet filled with grit. She is cute but astute. She can be mistaken for a high schooler, but she acted like a seasoned leader, a kapitana to a squad that has been through a lot.
But even good things have to come to an end. Her go-to training anthem, “Boom Tarat Tarat” by Willie Revillame, will soon play somewhere else.
Pepito, one of UST’s most beloved stars in the modern era, is signing off as the captain of the Tigresses, bidding farewell to a decorated 11-year tenure donning the gold-and-black.
“Salamat talaga sa UST kasi halos half ng buhay ko, parang doon ako lumaki since Grade 7. Dahil sa kanila, nag-grow ako bilang tao ngayon. From pasaway na tao ako tapos naging leader pa ng mga ‘to,” Pepito told reporters after capping off her UAAP career last Saturday, May 2.
(I am really thankful to UST because I grew up there and spent almost half of my life, since Grade 7. Because of them, I grew up into who I am, from a stubborn kid to a leader.)
Despite hopes that they would have another Cinderella run in the Season 88 stepladder semifinals, the Tigresses’ campaign was cut short by the reigning champions and No. 2 NU Lady Bulldogs in a four-set thriller, 20-25, 26-24, 26-24, 25-21, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Pepito laid it all out in her last dance, delivering 23 excellent digs, eight excellent receptions and five excellent sets.
Although the coach Shaq delos Santos-led Tigresses did not get the curtain-closer they hoped for, Pepito still expressed joy for her squad’s performance that resulted in back-to-back third-place finishes.
“Nakakuha pa kami ng bronze… so happy lang and proud sa team na talagang nilaban,” Pepito, who was very vocal in wanting to extend her stay in the UAAP not long ago, told The Flame.
(We still managed to bag bronze. I am happy and proud of the team who really fought.)
Climbing from No. 4 seed to bronze in her swan song, the outgoing leader and voice of reason left pieces of advice for her comrades: to keep going and learn.
“Keep going kasi I know na sobrang harsh na ng mga tao, lalo ngayon, parang kahit anong mangyari sana ‘wag silang sumuko. Dun pa rin sila sa kung saan gusto nila, which is maglaro ng volleyball. Huwag ding mapagod nang matuto at matuto.”
(Keep going because I know people are very harsh, especially now. Whatever happens, do not give up. Stick to what they want, which is to play volleyball. Do not get tired of learning.)
Immense impact
The 23-year-old Pepito was once a seventh grader when she entered the Tigers’ lair in 2015. From then on, she remained a pillar of the UST volleyball program.
Playing for more than a decade, Kapitana never won the championship, but she steered her squad to multiple Final Four appearances and collected individual awards left and right.
During high school as a Junior Tigress, Pepito was named the Best Receiver in Season 78. During the four years that followed, she cleaned up the Best Libero honors as if they were only hers to take.
After three runner-up finishes and a couple of bronze showings with the girls’ unit, Pepito earned herself a spot with the seniors’ squad led by former Queen Tigress and Alas Pilipinas star Eya Laure in 2023.
Pepito was still the formidable defensive connoisseur in the collegiate division, bringing home back-to-back Best Libero awards in Seasons 85 and 86.
Fresh from taking on leadership duties from Laure in Season 86, the star libero commanded the Cinderella run of the Tigresses, bowing out with a silver medal finish.
Personally knowing Pepito since her early high school days, UST athletics director Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P., said her influence on the Thomasian and UAAP community can be likened to that of volleyball icons Aiza Maizo, Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure.
“I have closely followed her journey as a student and athlete… Her impact on UST Athletics has been immense,” Cansancio, also the UAAP Season 88 president, told The Flame.
Cansancio praised Pepito’s “unwavering loyalty” to UST, calling her a “treasure” for excelling in both sports and academics.
“I witnessed how determined she was to finish her studies on time. The volleyball community adores her grounded, cheerful, and resourceful nature, and her faith. She is a treasure to UST, the UAAP, and the sport,” he added.
As Pepito left a storied legacy at UST, fans speculated that her jersey No. 4 would be retired by the University. But as of now, Cansancio told The Flame that there are no ongoing discussions about it.
What’s next?
When asked about her plans, Pepito offered a response that reflected her cheerful personality — something UAAP fans would surely miss one day,
“Ako, one more year, pwede ba? One more year, bakit? Pwede ‘yun ‘di ba?” Pepito, known for her playful yet charming responses during interviews, said.
(For me, one more year, is that okay? One more year, why not? That’s possible, right?)
Pepito said she is focused on continuing her passion and set her sights on applying for the next Premier Volleyball League (PVL) draft in June.
“Actually, hindi ko nga alam kung kanino nanggaling ‘yung hindi ako magpapa-draft, kasi nababasa ko ‘yun… Pero siyempre do’n na ako sa mas passion ko, ‘yung paglalaro ng volleyball,” she said.
A Bachelor of Elementary Education graduate, Pepito is keeping her options open outside the sport, saying her degree remains her fallback.
Lighthearted teases also made rounds online, with fans joking that childhood friend Bella Belen and former UST teammate Pia Abbu — who were in attendance during Pepito’s swan song — were “fetching” her to join the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the PVL.
Kapitana managed to earn the respect of her opponents, including former NU superstar Belen, who is proud of Pepito’s growth and legacy, even without a title to cap her UAAP run.
“Nakita ko kung paano siya nag-grow every season, every game, lalo na ngayon yung end stretch ng UAAP na hindi man pinalad, hindi man maganda yung exit niya, pero I believe maganda yung iniwan niya for the UST community. Kumbaga, isa siya sa mga pwedeng maging example siguro ng isang atleta ng UAAP,” the three-time UAAP MVP told The Flame.
(I have seen her grow every season, every game and during the end stretch of the UAAP, she did not win the championship, her exit was not good, but I believe she left behind something good in the UST community. She can be an example to an athlete of UAAP).
“Excited ako na makita kung ano pa yung pwede niyang ibigay sa volleyball community kasi yun nga hindi pa to yung best eh, meron pa siyang kayang gawin kumbaga… Kumbaga kung saan man siya mapunta, alam kong magsha-shine siya dun,” she added.
(I am excited to see what she can contribute to the volleyball community because this is not yet her best. She can do more. Wherever she goes, I know she will shine.)
Steering the Tigresses’ ship for three seasons, Pepito now hands the captainship title to senior Reg Jurado, who has yet to decide on her final year of UAAP eligibility.
“Ang dami naming napagdaanan na kasama ko siya. Marami siyang natutuhan sa’kin, at pati na kay ate Eya… Sa nakikita ko, kayang-kaya na nilang dalhin ‘yung team,” she said postgame.
(We have been through a lot together. She learned a lot from me and from Eya. I think she can handle the team.)
“I think yung core kasi nandiyan pa rin naman, mawawala lang naman ako… Kayang-kaya bitbitin talaga yung team,” she added, referring to core veterans such as Cassie Carballo, Angge Poyos and Xyza Gula, who she said are capable of guiding the team.
(The core members are still there. I am the only one who will leave. They can carry the team.)
Pepito will leave the UAAP with big shoes to fill and a bigger void of her own, but never without a smile that made her a UST darling. She said she would miss her teammates and coaches, most especially the free perks as a student-athlete.
“To the UST community, thank you very much. Whatever happens, I will be there. I hope you will not get tired of supporting the kids. Let us appreciate them,” the Kapitana said. F
