UST Golden Tigresses star Detdet Pepito. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — University of Santo Tomas finally cracked the win column of UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.

The Golden Tigresses overcame the University of the East on Saturday through a four-setter at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, with UST overcoming a mishap in the second set before completing the victory.

“Syempre happy ako,” said UST team captain Detdet Pepito after the contest. “Nakuha na ulit namin at na-feel na ulit namin na manalo. Pero siyempre, marami pa kaming kailangan trabahuhin.”

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The Tigresses committed 29 errors to the 22 of UE, and this allowed the Lady Warriors to extend the first and also take UST to the limit in Sets 2 and 3. 

This, for Pepito, is a sign that her squad is yet to discover their form.

“Lahat ng posisyon kailangan talagang trabahuhin,” emphasized Pepito. “Credit naman sa UE, iba talaga yung sistema na meron sila tapos nag struggle talaga kami sa karga nila sa service. Buti medyo naka-adjust naman, pero di pa rin talaga kami satisfied sa laro namin ngayon.”

UST is competing sans Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula as both players are dealing with their respective injuries, and this resulted in them relying on rookies Marga Altea, Kyla Cordora, Ashley Knop, and Maribeth Hilonho to contribute right ahead.

For Pepito, this poses a tougher challenge for herself especially since she is leading a rookie-laden team that is looking to take advantage of their finals appearance in Season 86.

“Forda talak lang talaga,” she said. “Marami talagang nawawala eh, kahit ako rin nawawala, so kailangan ko lang i-remind kung ano yung purpose namin sa team at kung ano yung gusto naming ma-achieve.”

But if there is a silver lining from their first two appearances, Detdet bared, it is having an understanding of where they are at in terms of their progress as a squad.

"At least, alam namin kung hanggang saan na kami, at sa hanggang saan yung kailangan namin," she pointed out.