Grounded NU guns for sweep of Santo Tomas
National University is not about to take things for granted, being just a win away from a four-peat in the Shakey’s Super League Preseason Unity Cup.
“We will take a breather, but we won’t relax,” prized rookie Sam Cantada said in Filipino after the Bulldogs had taken a 1-0 lead over University of Santo Tomas in the title series with a 15-25, 25-23, 25-17, 13-25, 15-12 nail-biter at Rizal Memorial Coliseum. “It’s not over until it’s over.”
And that’s a good mindset for the rest of the team, because the Growling Tigresses are just itching for payback in their Game 2 collision set on Saturday after Santo Tomas had conked out in the stretch of the series opener by giving up the last five points.
“The series is not yet over, and we will bounce back,” Santo Tomas coach Shaq delos Santos said. “We still have a chance, and we intend to cash in on that.”
After also helping NU to the National Invitationals leg championship in Davao, Cantada has stood at the forefront of the Bulldogs’ game and the product of the National U-Nazareth School program and ex-Alas Pilipinas U18 mainstay has a rare chance for a hat trick of achievements.
Cantada powered NU-Nazareth School to its first-ever Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League and also copped tournament MVP in her high school swan song. She then earned Best Player honors after leading the Lady Bulldogs to the National Invitationals throne in an impressive senior debut.
And how Angge Poyos, setter Cassie Carballo, the comebacking hitter Reg Jurado and libero Detdet Pepito play on Sunday will determine whether the Tigresses can take this series to a decider, which is scheduled for Wednesday if needed.
