BY ABBY TORALBA
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas pulled off a stunning 25-19, 25-23, 25-22 victory over National University yesterday to launch is bid on a rousing note in the 86th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Sophomore playmaker Cassie Carballo orchestrated the Golden Tigresses’ triumph with 20 excellent sets along with five points, while rookie open hitter Angeline Poyos delivered a team-high 16 markers.
Second year opposite spiker Regina Jurado and open spiker Jonna Perdido both fired 12 markers each, while rookie middle blocker Mary Banagua had 10 points for UST.
Skipper and libero Detdet Pepito also came up big on defense with 16 digs and 12 excellent receptions for the Tigresses.
“Doon sa resulta ng laro nagulat ako, pero sa inilaro nila hindi ako nagugulat doon kasi gaoon na kami mag-ensayo. Talagang siguro ano lang, maganda iyong gising namin,” UST coach Kungfu Reyes said.
“A-game and kasi practice makes permanent ganoon na iyong nangyayari samin ngayon,” he added.
Earlier, skipper Tin Ubaldo guided Far Eastern University to a 25-23, 25-21, 25-18 win over University of the Philippines.
Under new tacitcian Manolo Refugia, the Lady Tamaraws downed the Fighting Maroons in an hour and 33 minutes, thanks to setter Ubaldo who had an all-around game of 14 excellent sets and seven points along with five digs.
Gerzel Petallo led the offense of the Morayta-based squad with 16 points, while Chenie Tagaod had 12 markers and four excellent receptions.
“Siguro itong first game, magiging basehan namin, parang buwelo papunta sa mga susunod pang games. So, nate-test iyong chemistry namin, iyong pinag-trainingan namin ng ilang buwan,” Refugia said.
