Libero Detdet Pepito will play a bigger role in the rebuilding University of Santo Tomas in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines women's volleyball tournament next year following the departure of five key veterans.

Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes has high expectations from the reigning Best Libero for Season 86 as they try to keep pace with other teams despite fielding a roster filled with young players with limited experience.

"Right now, we're looking at Detdet Pepito to carry the team. She will play a big role as leader of the team for this season and the years to come," Reyes told Daily Tribune.

Pepito, whose stellar performance in Season 85 helped UST finish fourth, will have big shoes to fill as an incoming junior.

She will take over the leadership role left by team captain Eya Laure and other seniors who have left the team in middle blocker Imee Hernandez, KC Galdones, Milena Alessandrini and backup setter Maji Mangulabnan.

Laure and Hernandez formally announced that they have decided to forgo their last playing year to crossover to the professional rank on Thursday. Alessandrini and Galdones have exhausted their playing years while Mangulabnan is also heading into the pros.

"Aside from Laure and Hernandez we also lost Milena, KC and Maji so that's almost 70 percent of the team's scoring output," Reyes said.

Still, the mentor believes his squad will remain competitive next year.

"It was a shocking turn of events for us especially with Imee leaving because we were hoping she'll banner the team next year for Season 86," he said.

"But I have my full confidence in my young players."

Youngbloods like Regina Jurado, Xyza Gula, Renee Penafiel, Athena Abbu, Pierre Abellana and setter Cassie Carballo made a huge impact in their maiden campaign for the Tigresses.

Reyes and his coaching staff are currently working on recruiting players as well as developing their homegrown talents from the school's girls' volleyball program.

"But we continue to develop our players to fill in the spots vacated by our seniors. We're recruiting players although I would say not top prospects (compared to other teams)," Reyes said.

"But we have players that we know are ready to compete. This is how UST's program has been for years. We may not be able to compete with other teams in recruiting top prospects but we invest in developing our players. We instill in them the desire to win and fight for the school."

UST has also calendared a couple of pre-season tournaments to further build team chemistry and add experience.

"Hopefully, if they organize the UniGames we will join. Then there's the second season of the Shakey's (Super League) and the V-League," Reyes said.