UST HAS found a gem in rookie setter Cassie Carballo, who is expected to play a role in orchestrating the Golden Tigresses’ offense in UAAP Season 85 after gaining the trust of the coaching staff in the preseason.
Carballo, who is UST’s second setter behind veteran Maji Mangulabnan in Season 85, only joined the team in July 2022 but is already meshing well with her fellow rookies and team veterans.
UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said Carballo’s chemistry with the team’s young and experienced attackers would be pivotal for the Tigresses.
“Mayroon tayong promising setter na si Cassie na rookie, and with the guidance ni Maji, mas magiging better pa,” he told the Varsitarian.
Carballo, who was Best Setter in the 2018 Private Schools Athletic Association national meet, earned minutes as the main setter for the Tigresses in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Conference, in which the team paraded a rookie-laden lineup, and played alongside longer-tenured players in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Cup.
While it was difficult to mobilize the offense for two different casts, the Negrense setter said her preseason experience helped her understand the UST system better.
“Ang sinasabi ko lang sa sarili ko, kailangan kong makuha ang gusto nilang set para makapalo sila nang maayos,” she told the Varsitarian. “Ngayon, mas confident na ako sa kanila kasi lagi nila akong kinakausap at gina-guide.”
It also helps that she is playing in a team filled with offensive weapons in Eya Laure, Milena Alessandrini, Imee Hernandez, Regina Jurado, KC Galdones, Janna Torres, Xyza Gula, Pierre Abellana, Athena Sophia Abbu, and Renee Peñafiel.
“In terms of scoring, lahat maaasahan talaga,” she said. “Tsaka ‘di ko masyadong pinoproblema ‘yung first ball, kasi maayos ‘yung pag-deliver lagi ni Detdet (Bernadett Pepito).”
It was Pepito who first invited Carballo, a former De La Salle-Zobel Junior Lady Spiker, to join UST.
“Nagkita lang kami ni Detdet, and ininvite niya ako na ‘pumunta ka sa UST, baka pwede ka,’ and nagpunta ako,” she said. “Nag-tryouts ako, then after ng tryouts kinausap ako agad ng coaches [ng UST] and naging interested ako dahil nandito rin ‘yung course na gusto ko.”
However, the business administration freshman said she still had to work double time to earn her roster spot.
“Iniisip ko lang no’ng una ‘yung spot ko sa team, so naisip kong kailangan kong mag-double time, kailangan kong mag-extra work, kasi gusto ko talagang maging kasama sa team,” she said.
As she heads into her rookie year, Carballo wants to make the most of her collegiate stint learning from the team’s veterans and coaches.
“Gina-guide ako ni ate Maji, kasi siya ang mas may alam sa sistema, and sa kanya talaga ako nagtatanong talaga,” she said. “Si ate Eya rin, more on nire-remind niya ako na mag-enjoy lang, kasi alam niyang nape-pressure ako.”
But more than anything, Carballo wants to help the Tigresses win.
“Gustong gusto ko talagang makapasok sa finals sa rookie year ko pa lang kasi alam kong sobrang lakas ng team, kailangan lang ng konting polishing para makuha namin ang gusto naming mangyari,” she said. “Gusto ko rin mabigyan ng magandang exit—ng championship—’yung seniors.”
