University of Santo Tomas’ Detdet Pepito. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — University of Santo Tomas is back in the UAAP women’s volleyball Final 4 for the fifth straight season.
The Golden Tigresses formalized their entry into Season 87’s postseason after it swept University of the Philippines on Wednesday, and this was also amid the challenges that the squad has faced -- specifically, the injuries sustained by several of their key players.
For UST head coach Kungfu Reyes, his squad was able to battle through those difficulties all thanks to them keeping their faith in each other collectively.
READ: Tigresses eliminate Maroons to complete Final 4 cast
“Yung hard work andyan naman yan, pero sabi nga namin sa kanila: ‘Yung result will take care of itself,’” said Reyes. “Yung pressure, ine-embrace namin yan, pero at the end of the day, ang importante ay matutukan yung mga problema, individually and as a unit.”
The Tigresses, who reached the Finals in Season 86 before bowing down to National University, dealt with the injuries of Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula through the entirety of the present year.
But UST refused to dwell on those, and instead focused on strengthening what they still have.
“‘Us-STrong kami,’ ‘pag sinabi mo yun, UST Strong,” shared Reyes. “Yung sinasabi nga na strength in numbers. Individually, kaya, pero we can’t do everything. Pag pinagsama-sama namin yung trabaho namin, kaya.”
Team captain Detdet Pepito shared the same sentiments, saying that their continuity is still to be relied on this season.
“Yung pinaghahawakan ko is yung core ng team. May mga nawala, pero andyan pa rin yung core,” reflected Pepito. “Hindi pa rin kami talo sa tao, so patibayan lang ng loob at trust lang sa kasama mo, sa coaches, at sa sarili mo.”
That is why for Reyes, their dream of finally bringing a championship in España is still within reach.
“Hindi kami tumitigil to reach yung ultimate goal ng team, pero ang importante talaga is we get better every day,” he said. “Yung pag chase sa dream na yun, makuha man namin yan or hindi — siyempre gusto naming makuha — pero mahabang proseso yan eh.”
“Kung kailan? ‘Di pa namin alam, kasi hindi pa nagsisimula Final 4. Ngayon, may chance ulit kami, so hopefully, mag materialize lahat ng ginawa namin this time,” he added.
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