UST's Cassie Carballo and NU's Joshua Retamar are hailed as the Collegiate Press Corps' UAAP Players of the Week for their stellar performance as setters during the past week.
In the second week of the UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments, setters emerged as key figures, with two standout performances contributing to their teams' impressive form as the first round of preliminary matches reached its midpoint.
University of Santo Tomas' sophomore setter, Cassie Carballo, demonstrated composure under pressure as she masterfully directed her team to a remarkable five-set comeback against Far Eastern University, maintaining the Golden Tigresses undefeated record in the women's tournament at 4-0.
Carballo's exceptional performance, which included 25 excellent sets and eight points from five aces and three attacks, earned her recognition as the Collegiate Press Corps' UAAP Player of the Week presented by San Miguel Corporation for the period of February 28 to March 3.
"Sobrang thankful din ako na nandyan [teammates ko] for me kasi nung first and second sets, medyo nawawala ako. Ang tagal kong uminit, kumbaga. Sinabi ko talaga sa sarili ko na bumawi ng third, fourth, and fifth sets,” Carballo said.
"Ang dami pa naming kailangang i-polish talaga. 'Di pa namin naaabot 'yung standard na gusto namin at gusto ng coaches. 'Yun pa rin po 'yung tina-trabaho namin araw-araw,” she added.
UST’s go-to orchestrator bested fellow Thomasian ace Angge Poyos, La Salle's Thea Gagate, NU's Bella Belen, Ateneo's Lyann De Guzman, and Adamson's Barbie Jamili for the weekly honor also backed by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Jockey.
Meanwhile, Joshua Retamar, the reigning best setter and UAAP Finals MVP, showcased his versatility for the NU Bulldogs by excelling not only in setting up plays but also in contributing points.
In a four-set victory over Adamson, Retamar delivered 31 excellent sets. He then followed that up with a career-high 12 points and 20 excellent sets in a sweep against UP, leading the Bulldogs to consecutive wins.
As one of the senior leaders of the team, Retamar led by example, demonstrating that his steady hands can be just as effective in scoring as they are in orchestrating plays.
"Iniisip ko lang talaga, syempre, senior ako sa team namin. 'Di pwede yung set, kailangan din magperform ng block, ng depensa, sa serve and syempre, pinagkatiwalaan ako ni coach eh. 'Di ko sasayangin 'yun," said Retamar.
"Unti-unti pong naga-adjust 'yung team namin from talo namin sa UST [at] binubuo po ulit namin yung team namin,” he added.
The NU star setter defeated FEU's Andrei Delicana, La Salle's JM Ronquillo, and UST's Josh Ybañez for the men's Player of the Week plum.