UST Golden Tigresses during a game against UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas ticked an important item off its checklist on Wednesday.
The Golden Tigresses clinched a spot in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Final Four after eliminating University of the Philippines with a 25-20, 25-21, 25-18 win.
While winning is the main mission for UST, libero Detdet Pepito expressed her joy in seeing her squad reach the semifinals anew.
READ: UAAP: UST nears Final Four, sweeps winless UE
Detdet Pepito on reaching the Final Four again in #UAAPSeason87. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/zpwnoho0nc
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) April 23, 2025
“The first thing that coach Kung Fu (Reyes) said in the [preseason] press conference was, what we really wanted is to reach the Final Four,” said UST libero Detdet Pepito.
“Actually, our real first goal as a team is to win every game with our second goal being the Final Four.”
Pepito admitted there’s pressure for UST to deliver after last season’s runner-up finish.
READ: UAAP: UST sweeps Ateneo, boosts Final Four bid
“There’s huge pressure on our end after finishing with silver last season so we can’t just be careless now,” she said after 23 excellent digs.
Angge Poyos led the Tigresses in scoring with 19 points while Reg Jurado and Em Bangua added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
The victory also put UST (9-4) in solo second place with a half-game lead over La Salle (8-4), which is playing Adamson as of posting time.
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