As one of the coaches who helped mold Sam Cantada, JP Yude hardly felt surprised by her strong start in her rookie year in the UAAP.
Yude developed Cantada at Adamson High School, a journey that culminated in the UAAP Season 87 High School Girls’ Volleyball MVP award last year.
The 5-foot-7 outside hitter from Dasmariñas, Cavite, then chose National University for college, where she has been making an immediate impact in the Lady Bulldogs’ first two games of the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
“Siyempre, number one thing, I am very proud of her.
“Even though na nasa ibang school, yung relationship nandoon pa rin naman. I am very proud of her for how she performs, especially against us, on how she handled the pressure dahil galing siya dito. She keeps moving forward and always be the best talaga na sa kailangan nilang gawin sa games nila,” said Yude, who also coaches Adamson’s collegiate squad.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Yude shared those heartfelt words on Wednesday after Cantada led NU to a 25-23, 25-19, 28-26 win over her former school Adamson, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Cantada has lived up to the hype, delivering a game-high 21 points along with 14 excellent receptions in her collegiate debut against University of Santo Tomas last Sunday.
She then topped the scoring again for the Lady Bulldogs against the Lady Falcons, recording 16 points, nine excellent receptions, and five digs.
Yude said he had already anticipated Cantada’s breakout performance even before the season started.
“Oo naman. I expected naman (na mag-breakout si Sam) kasi during the offseason also and kahit sa high school naman, sobrang nag-improve and develop din siya,” said Cantada’s former mentor.
“Itong first year on how she plays, siguro pagdating ng panahon, she must always be humble lang ‘eh, kung ano man yung marating niya ngayon at sa buhay niya. Continue niya lang yon.”
