UST setter Cassie Carballo.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Spikers Regina Jurado and Jonna Perdido and rookie Angeline Poyos just unveiled themselves as a formidable scoring trio in a jolting victory that University of Santo Tomas (UST) pulled off on the expense of perennial title contender National University.
With freshman middle blocker Mary Margaret Banagua and sophomore Bianca Plaza likewise in the combination, the Tigresses needn’t worry concerning the post-Eya Laure era.
“Eya is gone, but lots of us managed to fill her spot,’’ said Poyos in helping the Tigresses frustrate the Lady Bulldogs, 25-19, 25-23, 25-22, on Sunday night at SM Mall of Asia Arena as this plucky Santo Tomas crew served notice of its readiness to contend in Season 86 of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
“We just helped one another out to fill her absence,’’ added Perdido, who scored three of her team’s last 4 points in a pivotal second set prior to delivering the winning attack at set point because the Tigresses showed no signs of missing Laure, the team’s leader for a few years who’s now a superstar pro within the Premier Volleyball League.
Cassie Carballo said that she won’t encounter much problems in establishing her teammates due to the numerous options she now has, believing that everyone can step as much as the plate.
The sophomore setter accounted for 20 excellent sets other than six points highlighted by 4 aces. She punctuated UST’s season-opening win by driving it down with all her might at match point.
“Everybody can contribute. My teammates possess the abilities and my role is to make it easy for them,’’ said Carballo as Santo Tomas battles one other solid foe in University of the East on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Carballo surprised the Bulldogs with three straight aces midway in the ultimate set, giving the Tigresses the upperhand, 11-9, that pushed the Lady Bulldogs hard against the ropes.
Totally authoritative
Jurado’s crosscourt kill on the Bulldogs’ backend sealed the primary set for the Tigresses. Poyos scored 16 points, including 13 attacks in her debut, together with three blocks, while Jurado and Perdido had 12 attacks each.
“I wasn’t surprised with the way in which we played, but I used to be entirely surprised with the result,’’ said UST coach Kungfu Reyes in Filipino, not expecting a fast, authoritative victory against a formidable foe.
Alyssa Solomon compiled 16 points with 14 attacks and Evangeline Alinsug added 11 for the Lady Bulldogs, while Season 84 rookie-MVP Michaela Belen scored nine points that went with 17 digs and nine receptions.
“I suppose we’re just lucky enough to win this. Our labor in practice just paid off,’’ said Reyes.
Banagua contributed 10 points and three blocks while Plaza added three points and their energy and activity in the center definitely made the Tigresses look higher. Also chipping in on the defensive end was libero Bernadett Pepito, who had 16 digs and 12 receptions.
“We study the right way to puncture the defense by efficiently hitting the ball. We’ve been polishing this in practice,’’ said Carballo. “We don’t just hit it randomly and hope that it gets in.’’ INQ
