Rookie Sam Cantada fired a career-best 32 points, leading National University to a vengeful 24-26, 25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 15-8 victory over first-round tormentor University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
The Fighting Maroons had previously stunned the Lady Bulldogs on February 28 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, 25-16, 25-16, 22-25, 29-31, 16-18, a match where Cantada suffered a right shin injury in the third set.
This time, Cantada starred for NU, scoring a season-high 32 points on 27-of-52 spikes, three blocks, and two aces, while also contributing 18 excellent receptions and 13 digs.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Of course, we’re happy, we count all the wins, and this is a good comeback for us. Hopefully, tuloy-tuloy siya,” said NU head coach Regine Diego.
“It’s a challenging time for all the teams, kasi mas mataas na ‘yung pressure, mas kailangan ng manalo, ang daming factors we are trying to manage, but the only thing that pushes us is if we play together,” added the former Lady Bullpups head coach.
Cantada and Arah Panique combined in the fourth set to force a decisive fifth set.
In the decider, Lady Bulldogs setter Abe Pono led the charge with four points—two aces, a block, and a spike—while Cantada added four points herself. NU overcame a 2-5 deficit with a massive 13-3 run to seal the win in two hours and 10 minutes.
“For me po, collective effort naman po ‘yung nangyari. Hindi lang po ako ‘yun, kinicredit ko rin po sa mga teammates ko po ‘yun kaya ko po nakuha ‘yung points na ‘yun,” said Cantada, whose 32 points were the most by any NU player since Alyssa Solomon scored 34 in a 25-19, 25-23, 15-25, 17-25, 10-15 loss to La Salle in Game 2 of the Season 85 Finals on May 14, 2023.
The Lady Bulldogs bounced back from a loss to the Lady Spikers last Sunday, improving to 6-2 to retain solo second place.
Panique supported Cantada with 19 points on 15 attacks and four blocks, while Chams Maaya added nine points.
Pono finished with 21 excellent sets, five points, and seven digs, while Shaira Jardio contributed 17 excellent receptions and 17 excellent digs.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, UP suffered its fourth straight loss, dropping to 3-5 and sixth place.
The Fighting Maroons’ last win was against the Lady Bulldogs in the first round. Jelai Gajero played her best collegiate game, scoring 22 points on 19 spikes, two blocks, and an ace, along with 14 digs.
Kianne Olango added 20 points, 13 excellent receptions, and nine digs, while Bienne Bansil and Niña Ytang each contributed 13 points.
Both teams return to action on Sunday at the Big Dome. NU will face Far Eastern University, while UP takes on winless University of the East.
