Cassie Carballo didn’t need a long pause to map out her next move—her heart had already made the decision.
The decorated playmaker from Silay City, Negros Occidental, is staying put with the University of Santo Tomas for one final run in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament, ensuring the Golden Tigresses will still have a steady hand at the helm following the graduation of former skipper Detdet Pepito.
When asked if she would use her fifth and final playing year, Carballo—a student from UST’s College of Commerce and Business Administration—revealed she will remain in España to complete her remaining academic units.
“Technically kasi, may units pa ako kasi hindi ako full load, especially pag season. So technically, may one more year pa ako sa UST,” said the Season 86 Best Setter after dishing out 35 excellent sets along with five points in a four-set loss to defending champion National University in the stepladder semifinals of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Beyond finishing her degree, the 23-year-old playmaker has a clear and burning objective: to help end the Golden Tigresses’ 16-year title drought, which dates back to Season 72 (2010).
To achieve that, Carballo knows UST will need reinforcements to rise above perennial contenders National University, De La Salle University, and Adamson University.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
That’s why she is hopeful that co-captain Reg Jurado, along with Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula, will also choose to stay for another campaign. UST is also expected to get a boost from the continued emergence of Lianne Penuliar, Avril Bron, and Junior Tigresses standout Kim Rubin.
“Ako, gustong-gusto ko talagang maglaro muna para sa UST. Sobrang mahal ko yung UST, and hoping din ako na yung iba na mag-stay sila,” Carballo expressed.
However, shortly after Carballo confirmed her return, Jurado, Perdido, and Gula all remained noncommittal about their futures with the Golden Tigresses.
Jurado, who paced UST in its season-ending loss to NU with 19 points built on 17 attacks and two blocks, along with 12 excellent digs, admitted that the decision is far from final as they weigh their options between one last collegiate run or turning professional through the PVL Draft.
“As of now, undecided pa. I am weighing lang din yung pros and cons of staying and pagpunta sa pro,” Jurado shared.
