UAAP: Eya Laure, KungFu Reyes heap praise at UST rookie Cassie Carballo

Cassie Carballo. UAAP PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines – University of Santo Tomas coach KungFu Reyes and team captain Eya Laure praised setter Cassie Carballo, who they described as “always learning” to spread the offensive load in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.

Reyes approved of Carballo as he executed the play and the 19-year-old did not disappoint, helping UST get into the win column with a 25-16, 28-26, 25-21 victory over Far Eastern University on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Luckily our freshman was sent. He’s a promising kid,” said Reyes on De La Salle’s rookie Zobel, who upset former high school coach Tina Salak and the Tamaraws.

“They’re willing to use our system and they’re open to getting any additional knowledge they get from high school.”

Laure, who scored 17 points to bounce back from a five-set loss to La Salle, also praised Carballo as a young player eager to learn more in his first college game.

“I like to see that he is willing to absorb all the coach’s instructions during training. He is willing to use the system that he has been using since high school,” Laure said in Filipino. “Even Cassie is a freshman you can see from her that she really wants to learn and apply it to our game.”

Carballo had eight impressive sets, including a set-clinching block on Alyzza Devosora in the second set as she also fed Jonna Perdido and Renren Penafiel to provide enough support for Laure with UST dominating FEU in attack, 50-35.

“My father keeps reminding me that I have to have the right mindset every game. In the scoring department, all my teammates are reliable. That’s why it’s easier for me because I know anyone from our team can score,” Carballo said in Filipino.

From playing for La Salle in high school to becoming a Tigress, Carballo is excited to have found a new home with the guidance of her coaches and teammates, especially Laure.

“I am very happy because I won my first college. I want to thank my coach because he continues to guide me. Special thanks also to Ate Eya because she always reminds me not to push myself and get rid of my nervousness,” he said.

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