UST star libero Detdet Pepito has the colorful life to match her personality, but that doesn't stop her from being on top of many things amid the Golden Tigresses' hectic title chase in UAAP Season 87.
The life of a student-athlete is always hard, especially when it comes to time management.
Being dedicated to your sport, but also pursuing quality education and a degree oftentimes put these athletes to the test – literally and figuratively.
Add in a touch of personal relationships, and players like UST star libero Detdet Pepito always have their plateful with things to attend to: from practices, to classes, and to virtual dates, it’s all calling for Pepito’s attention.
But with the secret of finding common ground and prioritizing what needs her attention the most, Pepito makes it work.
This UAAP Season 87, Pepito hopes to be a champion both on and off the court, as she does her best in her life as a libero, and everything else in between.
The in-betweens include, of course, her relationship with fellow student-athlete boyfriend Troy Legaspi of the UST Judo Team, and pursuing academic excellence in her program of Elementary Education.
On this edition of One Sports’ Off the Record, Pepiot gets candid on what it takes to play all the roles she has in her hectic, but colorful life.
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One Sports: You’re serving as team captain of the team this season. How are you dealing with that type of responsibility for an athlete?
Detdet Pepito: I think coming [we’re coming] from [a season na] no expectations, ngayon] talagang meron nang expectation.
Pero, yun nga, [siguro ang need ko gawin ay] sa pag guide sa mga bata talaga, especially maraming rookies kami ngayon season, parang half ng team puro rookies.
Siguro yung pag guide [ko] and sa tulong nalang din ng co-seniors and nila Regina [Jurado] and nila Cassie [Carballo], sana matulungan namin sila especially sa mga expectation at kaganapan.
OS: On social media, you’re always working out with your boyfriend. What does it feel like to have that type of relationship with him where you both try to get better in your sport?
Detdet: Parang nagc-cut weight na din ako. Very challenging pero nakaka-enjoy na alam mo yun, na makasama ko siya sa mga ganoong preparation.
OS: It’s already difficult to balance studies and sports as a student-athlete. How do you add your personal relationship to the mix, especially since you and Troy are both athletes?
Detdet: Siguro yung pag give way nalang po [namin sa isa’t isa yung key].
Kunwari, di talaga kaya magkita, ganyan, di namin pinipilit na magkaron ng time sa isa’t isa. Kumbaga, yung communication, yung video call, voice call, yun na yung pinaka-okay samin. Basta mag-karon parin [kami] ng communication sa araw na yun. Okay na yun.