By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense Cassie Carballo showcased her ball distribution as the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses scored a 25-16, 19-25, 14-25, 25-22, 15-12 triumph over the College of St. Benilde (CSB) Lady Blazers in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila on Sunday, August 25.
The Negros Occidental’s Silay City-native setter finished with 16 excellent sets to go with three points as the Golden Tigresses improved to a 4-0 win-loss slate.
Angeline Poyos tallied 22 points, built on 18 attacks, three blocks and a service ace, to lead the way for the Golden Tigresses, while Jonna Perdido and Regina Jurado added 14 and 11 markers, respectively.
“At least, naka-recover kami. ‘Yun naman ang sinasabi namin sa players, i-control ang dapat i-control, magkaroon ng composure in times na hindi sumasabay sa ‘min ‘yung momentum. Na-overcome naman namin,” UST head coach Emilio Reyes said.
After a lopsided defeat in the third set, the Golden Tigresses responded with a huge rampage in the fourth frame behind Poyos, Athena Sophia Abbu and Perdido to force a fifth set.
In the decider, the Lady Blazers took an early four-point lead, but the Golden Tigresses responded with attacks from Poyos, Abbu and Jurado to turn things around and take a 9-8 advantage.
UST widened the lead to 12-10 after an Abbu conversion, but CSB made their last push to cut the deficit to 12-13 before the Golden Tigresses wrapped up the win with errors from the Lady Blazers.
“Again, ‘yung maturity in certain situations, at least, nakukuha namin, regardless of the result. Importante is kung paano sila nag-react doon sa mga instructions namin,” Reyes said.
Rhea Densing scored 14 points, while Mary Borromeo added 11 markers for the reigning NCAA women’s volleyball tournament champions Lady Blazers, who dropped to 2-3.
Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws asserted their dominance over the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights with a 25-16, 25-22, 25-15 straight set romp.
Faida Bakanke led the Lady Tamaraws with 18 points./ASC, WDJ