Romwel Anzures

University of Santo Tomas star senior Detdet Pepito. Photo from UAAP Media.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div style="line-height:1.5"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770800039047UAAP88 VOLLEYBALL - DETDET PEPITO-1044.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>University of Santo Tomas star senior Detdet Pepito. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — University of Santo Tomas believes it has the pieces in place to contend for the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball crown, and senior star Detdet Pepito knows the pressure that comes with it.</div>“Excited kami. Almost complete yung Season 86 players namin,” Pepito said during Wednesday’s preseason press conference at the Mall of Asia Arena. “Iilan lang yung teams na buo pa rin, so ito na yung best chance to get this championship.”Pepito pointed to continuity as UST’s biggest edge heading into the new season, highlighted by the return of Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula, who both missed last year due to injury. The Golden Tigresses will also be guided by Shaq Delos Santos, who resumes his role as head coach.<div style="line-height:1.5"><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/6/3/uaap-shaq-delos-santos-takes-over-as-head-coach-of-ust-2138">READ: Shaq delos Santos takes over as head coach of UST, replaces Kungfu Reyes</a></div>With a nearly intact core and key reinforcements back in the fold, UST enters the season as one of the frontrunners — a reality that has not been lost on its graduating libero.“Kung kailan last year ko na, ngayon ko naramdaman yung pressure,” Pepito admitted. “Kasi hindi lang third or second place yung pinag-uusapan.”Pepito added that Delos Santos has largely retained the system previously implemented by coach Kungfu Reyes, choosing only to address key areas that needed refinement. The familiarity, she said, has allowed the team to focus on further strengthening its chemistry, as wel ass sharpening its execution heading into Season 88.But despite the mounting expectations, Pepito emphasized that the trust within the team has helped ease the pressure on her shoulders as she embraces a bigger role in UST’s campaign.“Isa kami sa mga teams na buo pa rin,” she said. “So ineejoy lang namin, pero kailangan namin paghirapan para maganda yung maipakita namin. And same pa rin yung gutom namin, na makuha yung championship.”

UST believes it has the pieces in place to contend for the #UAAPSeason88 women’s volleyball crown, and senior star Detdet Pepito knows the pressure that comes with it.

UST believes it has the pieces in place to contend for the #UAAPSeason88 women’s volleyball crown, and senior star Detdet Pepito knows the pressure that comes with it.

UAAP: Pepito embraces pressure in UST’s ‘best chance’ at championship glory

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UAAP: Pepito embraces pressure in UST’s ‘best chance’ at championship glory

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 11, 2026 08:15 PM PHT

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Volleyball

UAAP

ABSSports

UAAP Season 88

UAAP Volleyball

UST

Detdet Pepito

Shaq Delos Santos

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