Detdet Pepito and the UST Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament press conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — With the loss of key players Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula, the University of Santo Tomas is looking to unleash the team’s next-man-up mentality in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
Perdido suffered from an ACL tear on her left knee in last year’s Shakey’s Super League, while Gula has been ruled out due to a fractured tailbone she sustained last December.
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SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round
While it was a big blow to UST’s roster that reached the finals last year against eventual champion National University, captain libero Detdet Pepito said they can’t dwell on injuries in their campaign this year.
“It’s tough, of course. We lost several key players, but we’ve accepted it,” said Pepito. “I think we’re ready for anything, just like in the Finals when that situation happened with Angge (Poyos). We’ve prepared ourselves for moments like that.”
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“There are players willing to step up—you can really see that in the younger ones who are eager to play. But there are still a lot of gaps we need to fill this season.”
READ: UAAP: All-heart UST Tigresses still proud of silver finish
Reg Jurado, one of the remaining spikers with Season 86 Rookie of the Year Angge Poyos and incoming freshman Marga Altea, vows to step up to plug in the hole.
“Our preparation was a bit short, especially with Ate Jonna leaving—she was one of the pillars of our team,” Jurado said. “Our preseason wasn’t perfect, but hopefully, through experience and after a few UAAP games, we can reach the level of performance we’re aiming for.”
UST Tigresses’ Reg Jurado. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Marga, our rookie, is someone we expect to step up, but it’s not just on her—we’re all in this together,” she added. “I hope that as a team, we can all step up when needed and bring out the skills required to help the team succeed.”
Against all olds, the Tigresses look to surpass what they did last season to return to the top.
“You could still say we’re in a rebuilding phase since half of the team is made up of rookies again, just like last year,” Pepito said. “But at the same time, our core—our first six—is still here, and we already have experience. Hopefully, we can use that experience to our advantage this season.”
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UST kicks off its new season against Far Eastern University on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
