University of Santo Tomas star libero Detdet Pepito in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — University of Santo Tomas absorbed back-to-back losses in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.

The Golden Tigresses lost to National University last week in their first-round ender, and what followed was another defeat on Sunday, this time against Far Eastern University in a four-setter as they opened Round 2.

Despite outscoring the Lady Tamaraws in total points, 95-94, and also managing to hold a 74-60 advantage in the digging department, UST fell short in the fourth and surrendered their 16-10 lead midway after Gerz Petallo and Faida Bakanke’s heroics.

READ: Petallo, Bakanke take charge as FEU scores hard-earned win vs. UST

UST team captain Detdet Pepito believes they showed signs of growth despite the loss, but for the tenured libero, there is still a lot to do for UST if they want to overcome their struggles.

“Sobrang hugot pa po,” said Pepito, who only had 12 digs and seven receptions — surprisingly not team highs — vs. FEU.

“Ngayon, kitang-kita na konting bola lang yung napunta sa akin sa pasa. Nakita ko naman yung tinraining namin, medyo nag-improve yung pasa, so balik lang talaga sa pag e-extra at i-submit namin yun sarili namin ng malala,” she added.

As the Final 4 race continues to tighten, and with the details that UST is still trying to clean up, one factor that they need to prioritize is staying patient with the process, says Pepito.

“Nandoon pa rin yung pasensya ko, kasi isa nga po sa napag-usapan namin as a team is yung pasensya namin sa isa’t isa,” she said.

“Tina-try ko pa rin na i-remind sila na magkaroon ng tiwala sa sarili at sa isa’t isa kasi doon kami nagkukulang. Yung iba, pag nage-error, parang katapusan na ng mundo. Kinakausap mo sila, pero yung mata nila, yung posture ng katawan, parang wala na.”

“So yun yung pinaka challenge sa amin, kasi talagang kulang sa pasensya kaming mga players. Hopefully, ma-work pa namin at mapag-usapan pa namin,” she added.