NU's Bella Belen and UST's Detdet Pepito during their UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball match, March 16, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. UAAP Media/File
MANILA -- After being inseparable for years on and off the court, Detdet Pepito is about to step into unfamiliar ground: a tournament without the participation of longtime friend and fiercest rival Bella Belen.
While Pepito returned to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) for her swan song, former National University (NU) headliner Belen wasted no time leaping to the pros as the No. 1 overall pick in the Philippine Volleyball League (PVL) just a month after graduating in May.
READ: Bella Belen makes good on another pregame promise to NU community
Pepito and the Golden Tigresses are set to compete in the Shakey's Super League Pre-Season Unity Cup, where the NU Lady Bulldogs will also try to stretch their reign with a fourth straight title — this time, of course, without Belen leading the charge.
The star libero shared mixed emotions — relieved that the three-time UAAP MVP is not a threat in the collegiate scene anymore, but also sentimental for the end of an era.
"Hindi ko po ma-describe yung feeling ko if masaya ba ako kasi syempre, wala ng mahirap na kalaban," Pepito told ABS-CBN News.
"Wala na si Belen pero syempre malungkot din kasi, ayun nga, for how many years kaming naglalaro, naglalaban," she added.
Both Pepito and Belen steered their respective squads to multiple Final 4 runs, but Lady Bulldogs always had the Golden Tigresses' number.
In Season 86, National U swept the España-based squad, 2-0, to claim its second crown in three years.
READ: National University retires Bella Belen's #4 jersey
UST attempted to exact revenge in the following season, but ultimately fell short in the semifinals as NU made its way to another title, putting the icing on the cake of Belen's decorated collegiate stint.
Despite this, however, Pepito still expressed how proud she is of her childhood friend for thriving in the newest chapter of her volleyball journey.
"Happy naman ako kasi nasa new journey na siya ng volleyball, and hopefully, makita ko na siyang maglaro ng volleyball… maglaro sa Capital1 with syempre, Pia Abbu," she said.
"Alam ko naman si Belen sobrang open niyan sa lahat ng opportunities at challenges niya sa life, so hopefully mas mag-improve pa po siya syempre sa pagkakaroon ng positive na vibe and attitude niya," she added.
Playful as always, Pepito had a short banter with Belen, lightheartedly telling the former Lady Bulldog to finally move on from her NU days.
"Sana mas mag-grow siya… mas mahalin niya yung family niya ngayon [Capital1]... Iwan mo na yung NU kasi nga nag-i-istory siya puro NU, relapse," she said. "[A]te tama ka na, nag-champion ka na, tama na, move on."