FORMER Golden Tigresses captain Detdet Pepito has closed an 11-year chapter with UST, bidding farewell to the University she entered as a Grade 7 player and eventually represented as a six-time UAAP Best Libero.
Pepito, who has since turned professional, looked back on her years with UST in an emotional Instagram post on Friday, ahead of UAAP Season 89, the first season the Tigresses will play without her since she joined the University’s volleyball program.
“Ang hirap pala talagang magpaalam sa lugar na matagal mo nang naging tahanan,” Pepito wrote.
(It really is difficult to say goodbye to a place that has long been your home.)
“Eleven years of memories, lessons, friendships, victories, heartbreaks, and dreams. Sa lahat ng pagkakataong pinili kitang ipaglaban, salamat dahil pinili mo rin akong mahalin at pagkatiwalaan,” she added.
(Eleven years of memories, lessons, friendships, victories, heartbreaks, and dreams. For all the times I chose to fight for you, thank you for choosing to love and trust me, too.)
A product of coach-turned-program director Kung Fu Reyes’s development program, Pepito won four straight Best Libero awards in the juniors division from Seasons 79 to 82. She helped the UST juniors squad finish as runner-up for three straight seasons from Seasons 78 to 80 before securing bronze medals in Seasons 81 and 82.
Pepito moved up to the seniors division in 2021 and made her Golden Tigresses debut in Season 84, when UST settled for fourth place following a semifinal loss to the Ateneo Lady Eagles.
She won consecutive Best Libero honors in Seasons 85 and 86 before securing her first UAAP podium finish with the Tigresses in Season 87, when UST claimed bronze.
After graduating from the College of Education, Pepito enrolled in the Graduate School to extend her stay and play another season with UST. The Tigresses again finished with a bronze medal in Season 88.
“UST, palagi kitang ipaglalaban at ipagsisigawan! Hindi ito pagpapaalam kundi pasasalamat na walang hanggan,” she said.
(UST, I will always fight for you and proudly proclaim you! This is not a goodbye but an everlasting expression of gratitude.)
Pepito began her professional career in July after being selected second overall by the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft. Allanee Raye C. Valeriano
