(UPDATE) THE UST Golden Tigresses entered the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament without stars Eya Laure and Imee Hernandez as they moved up to the professional ranks.

With their two main gunners from last season already gone, the Golden Tigresses were left in a rebuilding mode with the Kungfu Reyes-mentored team being mainly composed of rookies and sophomores.

Reigning Best Libero and third year player Detdet Pepito thus became the oldest player or "ate" of the youthful Golden Tigresses, who were counted out when Season 86 was about to approach, at least in Pepito's observation.

Pepito, UST's team captain, said the Golden Tigresses used those nonbelievers and borderline bashers as their fuel for this season where they just reached the Finals after dethroning the De La Salle Lady Spikers, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7, in their Final Four match at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, May 5.

"First of all, thank you to our bashers because we use them as inspiration. Right from our first game this season, there were a lot of people who were looking down on us, saying 'this team won't make it', but in our first game, we saw the capability of the team. We really worked hard," said Pepito.

"But I also want to thank those who believed in us win or lose. Thank you so much and thank you Lord," added Pepito, whose team started the season with eight straight wins and finished the eliminations as second seed with a 12-2 slate, earning a twice-to-beat incentive in the semifinals.

The Golden Tigresses' win not only sent them to the Finals but also avenged their seniors Laure, Hernandez, KC Galdones, and Milena Alessandrini who ended their UAAP careers last year with a Final Four loss to La Salle.

Pepito said that the current Golden Tigresses dedicate their win against the Lady Spikers to the aforementioned players.