Cantada crosses paths with HS teammates as Adamson, NU square off
Former high school teammates Shaina Nitura and Sam Cantada go head-to-head for the first time in the collegiate ranks when Adamson and defending champion National University battle for the early lead in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena.
Cantada and Nitura used to be a potent combo for Adamson when they steered the Baby Falcons to a historic UAAP Season 86 girls championship by dethroning the very formidable National University Nazareth School Bullpups.
Nitura, the Finals and Season MVP of her final high school year two seasons ago, passed the torch to Cantada, who became the MVP the following year, only for Adamson to fall to the Lady Bullpups in the finals.
Cantada decided to transfer to NUNS in the second semester and then joined the Lady Bulldogs program, where she made an immediate impact right in her debut last Sunday.
Cantada faces her former high school teammates at 11 a.m.
The 18-year-old rookie delivered the telling blows, as National U took down University of Santo Tomas, 25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 26-24 and finished with 21 points.
New spearhead
“Of course, I know them so well. And I know they’ll never just give in—I know their mentality,” said Cantada in Filipino. “But we won’t back down either. We’ll always give our best.”
Cantada is earning her status as the spearhead of NU’s new era, which began with the graduation of Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon. She joins old reliables Vange Alinsug, Lams Lamina and Shaira Jardio, as well as new starters Arah Panique and Abe Pono.
Nitura, who had a historic rookie year last season, relishes the deeper Adamson roster with rookie Abby Segui joining Fhei Sagaysay and Nigerian Frances Mordi.
“Ever since high school, we already planned to compete together in college,” Nitura had said in Filipino, referring to some of her high school teammates who have graduated to the women’s ranks. “We’re hoping we can carry over the chemistry we built back then.
“Now we’ll see how we can continue building that chemistry—and hopefully make history—with the people God has provided for us,” said Nitura, who had 16 points in a 25-19, 25-18, 25-10 rout of Ateneo, where Mordi and Segui backstopped her with 14 and eight points, respectively.
At 5 p.m., Far Eastern University and University of the East battle with both looking to bounce back from losses in their respective debuts.
“Six-peat”-seeking NU eyes its second win in the UAAP men’s game at 9 a.m. against fellow opening weekend winner Adamson.
