Defiant Cantada rallies Lady Bulldogs with eye on keeping crown
National University suffered a stunning upset loss to University of the Philippines in the first round, then entered the second round smarting from a loss to fierce rival La Salle.
That put the defending champions two games behind the Lady Spikers, who are touted to be the ones who could knock the Lady Bulldogs off their lofty position.
Through all that, Sam Cantada is not losing faith.
“[W]e’re not done yet,” the 19-year-old rookie said after producing a career-high 32 points to lead a vengeful 24-26, 25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 15-8 win over UP on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I won’t stop because we’re not champions yet. We still have to aim higher and keep working harder,” added Cantada.
That’s not empty bravado. NU showed just how dominating they can be when things come together for coach Regine Diego’s squad.
Down two sets to one, the Lady Bulldogs rediscovered the form that led them to back-to-back crowns behind the likes of Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, who have since turned pro.
Cantada set a new season high with 27 kills, three blocks, and two aces, laced with 18 excellent receptions and 13 digs, delivering the highest scoring output by an NU player since Alyssa Solomon erupted for 34 in the Finals Game 2 of UAAP Season 85 three years ago—coincidentally the season they lost to La Salle in the Finals.
That championship loss was NU’s only setback in Belen’s time. Cantada and her teammates want a three-peat to atone for that. And they want it even more after losing to La Salle at the end of the first round.
“We came from a loss against La Salle, so we used that as motivation. We really gave it our all—it felt like it was now or never,” said Cantada, who wasn’t able to finish the match against UP in the first round after she suffered a right shin injury.
This time, she was healthy enough to go the distance against the Maroons, providing the telling blows in the decisive fifth set.
And Cantada said she didn’t do it alone. Arah Panique backstopped the fantastic freshman with 19 points, including four blocks. Abe Pono had 21 excellent sets, seven digs, and five points while libero Shaira Jardio had 17 digs and 17 receptions for NU.
Cantada has received a lot of spotlight despite being a rookie, with even La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus lining her along such collegiate greats as Belen and the Lady Spikers’ Angel Canino.
And the powerful hitter is embracing the scrutiny.
“I think pressure is normal, whether we’re winning or losing. But my teammates are always there to help me handle it,” she said. “In training, I’ve been gaining more confidence and learning new things that I can apply in games. It’s really about believing in myself and trusting that my teammates also trust me.”
The Lady Bulldogs, who regained solo second place with a 6-2 record, face Far Eastern University on Sunday.
FEU, sans captain Gerz Petallo, made quick work of the University of the East, 25-11, 25-15, 25-22, to regain the solo third seed with a 5-3 record in the other game.
UP suffered its fourth straight loss with a 3-5 record, despite Jelai Gajero’s 22 points and 14 digs.
Kianne Olango also stepped up for the Casiey Dongallo-less Fighting Maroons with 20 points, 13 receptions, and nine digs. Nina Ytang and Bien Bansil added 13 points each, while libero Irah Jaboneta had 22 digs and 21 receptions.
