University of Santo Tomas team captain Detdet Pepito against Far Eastern University in UAAP Season 88. UAAP Media.MANILA — University of Santo Tomas has now won four of its last five games after a blank start in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball, a sign of better days ahead for the España-based spikers.
This comes after a number of games where outside criticism became louder than the calls to stay patient under their new head coach Shaq Delos Santos, a stretch of matches highlighted by a straight-sets loss to Adamson University last Saturday.
For Golden Tigresses captain Detdet Pepito, what helped in overcoming their early struggles was the patience shown by both the players and the coaching staff, pointing out how both sides have extended their understanding toward each other.
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“Hindi po naging madali. Pero nakikita ko naman na nandoon na,” said Pepito following their sweep of Far Eastern University on Saturday, their second straight win this week. “Nag me-meet halfway yung players at coaches sa new system namin.”
However, Pepito shared that it is not only patience that should be credited for their steady progress, as UST has been playing with a higher purpose ever since their early-season slump.
“Kailangan may purpose tayo,” said Pepito, who is eyeing to help UST win its first championship in 16 years before she leaves for the professional ranks. “Kasi kapag wala kang rason para maglaro, masyadong mababaw. ‘Pag nakaramdam ka ng hindi okay na sitwasyon, mabilis kang bibigay.”
The Golden Tigresses now have four wins against three losses as they enter the second round, and for Pepito, doubling down on the same approach will help UST live up to its tag as one of this year’s heavy favorites.
“Kapag malalim yung rason, hindi ka basta-basta bibigay, katawan at pag-iisip,” said the former UAAP Best Libero.