Contrary to what others may think, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA's libero John Pepito is not actually related to Detdet Pepito, who is also the libero for UST.
But it seems like the same volleyball DNA runs in their blood with their impeccable floor defense and leadership. After all, Detdet also comes from a family of liberos as her older sisters Margaret and MJ were once the defensive specialists for San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
Nonetheless, the 24-year-old John is hoping to carve his own name as the ALTAs look to complete a four-peat title run in the NCAA Season 99 men's volleyball tournament.
"Nu’ng bata ako spiker po talaga ako pero nu’ng tumungtong na ako ng high school, gaya nga sabi ni Detdet na mataas na ‘yung net, hindi ko na rin abot," John shared to GMA News Online as he recalled his younger days playing in a different position.
"So ginawa akong libero then ginawa akong setter isang beses hanggang sa binalik ulit ako sa libero and tuloy-tuloy na since Grade 7."
(When I was young, I was a spiker, but when I went to high school, just like what Detdet said, I could not also reach the net. So I was converted into a libero, then a setter once then back to being a libero since Grade 7.)
During one summer in 2019, John was in Manila to spend his vacation in Parañaque with his cousin who asked him to try out his luck in various schools in the city, which he did.
John then went to Perpetual as a walk-in applicant in the volleyball team, got accepted, and made his NCAA debut back in the unfinished Season 95. In Season 98, John was part of the three-peat squad that outlasted San Beda University in the finals.
John and the ALTAs inched closer to another title as they formally punched a Final Four ticket on Sunday with a sweep victory against Arellano University, but they know the job is far from over.
"Masaya kasi ‘yung remaining games namin sobrang malalakas na and ‘yung game na ‘to hindi namin akalain na masu-sweep namin ‘yung Arellano kasi malakas din sila," Pepito, the third best digging and sixth best receiving player so far, added.
"Sobrang saya kasi napadali namin ‘yung trabaho namin ngayong araw para makapaghanda kami agad sa two remaining games namin na malalakas din."
(Happy because our remaining games will be against strong teams and we did not expect this game to be a sweep since Arellano is also a contender. We're very happy that our job was easier today so we can prepare for the next two games.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
