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Now that’s an introduction to remember from National University’s prized rookie Sam Cantada.
Having given themselves a lifeline, it seemed like the UST Golden Tigresses were about to force a fifth set in their UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball opener against the NU Lady Bulldogs.
That was, until Sam Cantada happened for the defending champs. With National U trailing, 21-17, the prized rookie took over late, scoring seven of the Lady Bulldogs’ last 10 points to complete a thrilling 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24 victory on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Playing in her first UAAP seniors’ game, Cantada finished with a game-high 21 points built on 17 spikes, three aces, and one block, along with five digs and 14 excellent receptions.
“Una naman po sa lahat, may goal po talaga kami. Syempre po, ‘yung team po namin is defending champion po, so para sakin naman, wala naman po kami dapat patunyan. Gawin lang po namin ‘yung best namin and OK na po ‘yun samin,” Cantada said post-game.
Part of Cantada’s late run was a late service barrage, scoring back-to-back aces to help National U inch closer by a solitary point, 23-22. It was also Cantada’s ace that placed the Lady Bulldogs at match point, 24-23, before a Vange Alinsug kill and a Angge Poyos error sealed the opening day win.
For the lefty hitter, it was a product of National U’s tough love, where they made it a point to refine her service game during training.
“Siguro nasa utak ko lang na tinetesting nila ako sa training. Like ang pangit po ng mga service ko at inconsistent po ako,” Cantada said. “Kailangan ko maging consistent kasi nakikita ko po sa mga teammates ko na nilalaban nila.”
Head coach Regine Diego, meanwhile, was least surprised with Cantada’s huge night, being no stranger to the prized rookie’s immense fighting spirit.
“Well, sa totoo lang, a lot of people will see it as chamba. But I’ve seen it so many times already, so it’s her and it’s her character. She’s a really good fighter lalo na sa crucial games, so I didn’t doubt her and I was so sure she was going to make it sa dulo,” said Diego, who also made her debut as NU’s new head coach.
Alinsug, the new NU skipper, said she was proud of Sam Cantada after showing veteran poise down the stretch.
“Syempre proud ako kasi rookie year niya, tas nakikita ko talaga sa kanya na gusto niya din talaga ilaban ‘yung point especially kanina. And sana magtuloy-tuloy lang din ‘yung game namin and‘yung consistency namin.”
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.
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