Bernadett Pepito expresses her heartfelt gratitude for the unexpected sponsorship of their customized shoes by the UST community, igniting more motivation and appreciation within the Golden Tigresses as they battle in UAAP Season 86.
The University of Santo Tomas community has once again shown its unwavering support for its athletes, particularly the Golden Tigresses.
In what can be described as both subtle flex and true unconditional love for their student-athletes, the Tigresses were gifted custom Kobe 8 Protros to use for UAAP Season 86.
The Golden Tigresses showed off their customized shoes during their dominant straight-sets win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, March 9 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Team captain Bernadett Pepito couldn’t help but express her gratitude and excitement for this unexpected gesture.
“Siyempre super happy and grateful at the same time kasi hindi namin inexpect na may mga ganung pangyayari na may mag-sponsor ng shoes namin,” Pepito told One Sports.
“Nakakatuwa kasi wala talaga kasi kaming expectation this season, so naging mas motivated kami may bago kaming sapatos and sabi nga ng iba na nakikita lang nila 'yung mga shoes na ganito sa mga pro, 'yung mga magagandang shoes talaga, lalo na customized siya,” she added.
The 21-year-old superstar libero also reflected on the immense support they continue to receive from the UST community, even with the departure of key players like Eya Laure and Imee Hernandez.
Throughout the first round of Season 86, the UST community has been present and at full force for the Golden Tigresses’ matches, no matter the opponent. Their new custom Kobes, which used last year's "Halo" colorway as base, are merely a tangible symbol of the incredible support the team has enjoyed.
“Nakakagulat kasi talagang kahit weekend, weekdays, marami pa ring nanonood and happy nga kami kasi hindi namin inexpect na ganun pa rin kami susuportahan ng mga tao kahit nga sabi nga nila 'Mini Miss UST' kami,” said Pepito.
“Happy lang kami and thankful at the same pa rin sa UST fans and sana hindi kayo magsawa at huwag kayong mag-expect. Tao lang po kami, nagkakamali din kami,” she emphasized.
In addition to the overwhelming support, Pepito and the Golden Tigresses have given the community plenty of reasons to cheer. UST's 5-0 start is the team's best since Season 73.
But even with all that, Pepito and the rest of the Golden Tigresses remain as hungry and focused as ever.
“Siguro masasabi ko sa generation na meron kami ngayon is mga bata eh,” said Pepito. “Hindi ko naman sinasabi na iba ‘yung gutom namin ngayon kasi binabatuhan kami ng ‘Mini Miss U’, ‘maliliit’, and dun kami humuhugot ng lakas.”
“Siguro wala lang din sa amin na best start in 12 seasons, talagang tinrabaho lang namin,” she added.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Bernadett Pepito says UST has more to prove after sensational takedown of La Salle]