Cassie Carballo believes that the University of Sto. Tomas has yet to unleash its full potential in their ongoing Finals series against Far Eastern University in the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge.
The Golden Tigresses overcame a slow start in the opener before dominating the Lady Tamaraws in Game 1, winning 25-22, 25-18, 25-14, to move closer to an undefeated campaign in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
“Sobrang happy and excited po ako sa meron ‘yung team, marami pa po kaming pwedeng ipakita pa. Mas kaya naming higitan ‘yung performance namin today. Alam kong hindi pa namin naaabot ‘yung standard ng coaches, hopefully maabot namin ‘yun,” said Carballo.
“All-out pa rin kami for sure,” she added, as UST aims to complete a perfect 10-0 run in the V-League.
Carballo was the driving force behind the Golden Tigresses’ offensive strike in the series opener. She delivered 15 excellent sets to power the team’s Game 1 win while also providing much-needed leadership after they fell behind by four points in the first frame.
The reigning UAAP Best Setter took on a larger role in the off-season tournament. Alongside team captain Detdet Pepito, Carballo was entrusted with leading a squad that features several rookies.
(C) V-League Images
“More on pagiging vocal po talaga kasi kailangan po talaga nilang like pitpitin talaga kasi alam namin din na marami pa silang kulang. Hopefully, pagdating ng UAAP, polished na namin lahat ng kailangan i-polish,” said Carballo.
The current UST squad is noticeably younger than the one that reached the UAAP Season 86 Finals, with rookies Stephanie Arasan, Arlene Waje, Kaizah Huyno, Margaret Altea, Francine Osis, and Sandrine Escober joining the team.
Carballo, a product of De La Salle-Zobel, hopes that the rookies can gain the experience needed to contribute to their redemption campaign in the upcoming UAAP season.
“Sobrang saya po and tini-take lang din namin one day at a time. Sobrang happy din ako para sa rookies kasi ‘yung exposure na binibigay sa kanila alam ko makakatulong talaga in the long run,” said the Negrense playmaker.
“Siguro isa na rin ‘yun sa reasons kung bakit kailangan naming makuha ‘yung mga tinuturo nila coach, kasi nga may mga bata na ngayon. Hindi na pwedeng kami pa rin ‘yung taga-sunod, kailangan na rin mag-lead din talaga.”
