UST’s Detdet Pepito. Photo from UAAP Media.

MANILA — The UST Golden Tigresses are back in the UAAP women’s volleyball Finals after five years.

READ: Poyos takes charge as UST ousts La Salle, returns to UAAP women’s volleyball Finals

Kung Fu Reyes’ squad dethroned the De La Salle Lady Spikers on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in a five-set classic. This, according to team captain and libero Detdet Pepito, was a result of them answering the challenges that were brought upon them.

“Sobrang honored talaga ako na maging team captain ng ganitong promising team. Nagpapasalamat ako sa teammates ko kasi talagang tinrabaho namin. Salamat Lord,” the third-year player said.

The two teams alternated wins in the first four frames, with La Salle showing their championship poise in a bid to force a do-or-die match for a place in the Finals. For Pepito, the Tigresses embraced the pressure that the defending champions put on them throughout the match.

UST’s Detdet Pepito. Photo from UAAP Media.

"Nung fourth set pa lang, nire-ready na namin yung sarili namin sa fifth set kasi nga ginusto namin ‘to, so yakapin na natin ‘to," said the ever-reliable libero.

"Yung pressure na naramdaman namin nung first set pa lang, magandang pressure. Sinasabi na privilege talaga yung pressure, and nakatulong siya sa amin para i-push namin yung limitations namin," Pepito continued.

Also fueling Pepito and the Tigresses were the naysayers who doubted them when the season started.

"Una sa lahat, thank you sa mga bashers," quipped Pepito.

"Ginawa talaga namin silang inspirasyon. Unang game pa lang, alam naming maraming kumukutsa na 'Ay, wala ito.' Napatunayan namin nung unang game, nakita namin kung ano yung kapasidad ng team namin."

"Tinrabaho lang po talaga namin, at gusto ko lang pong magpasalamat sa lahat ng naniniwala. Manalo o matalo, thank you po, thank You kay Lord," she added.

Now that they are back in the Finals, Pepito -- who endured the pain of being eliminated by La Salle in the Final 4 in Season 85 -- is dedicating the triumph to the seniors she previously played with.

"Unbelievable po yung feeling. Parang na sanay kasi ako na palaging teammate sila ate Eya [Laure]. Siyempre, nandoon yung pagdududa na paano na yung team? Tapos napili akong captain ball. Parang, sure ka coach?" she explained, pertaining to how she stepped up in Season 86 as UST's leader.

"Pero dine-dedicate po namin ‘to sa mga seniors namin. Naibawi namin kayo ates."

Pepito and the rest of the Tigresses are set to face the winner of the National University-Far Eastern University decider which will take place on Wednesday.