If one thing has defined UAAP women’s volleyball’s post-pandemic era, it’s super rookies.
Bella Belen started the trend in Season 84 when she became the first-ever rookie MVP in the division, leading National University to its first title in 65 years.
Angel Canino followed in Season 85 for De La Salle University, also winning the MVP award in her rookie year. In Season 86, University of Santo Tomas’ Angge Poyos broke the rookie scoring record.
Shaina Nitura then embraced the super rookie tag in Season 87, shattering multiple UAAP records for Adamson University.
Now, ahead of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament set to begin this Saturday, many are already pointing to NU’s Sam Cantada as the next standout rookie.
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Despite feeling the weight of expectations, Cantada is confident she can rise to the challenge.
“Sa akin po siguro mas matapang po ako ngayon kasi tinetesting po ako sa training eh. Like, every tune-up tinitesting po ako. Ako po yung tinatarget sa lahat, ganyan. So, titignan po natin sa laro, like, ma-overcome ko ba siya, ganyan. Pero ngayon, feel ko mas matapang po talaga,” said the prized rookie out of Adamson High School during Wednesday’s UAAP Volleyball Press Conference.
“Siguro po ngayon, grabe po yung pressure sa akin kasi syempre po first year ko and nandito na po ako sa college. Mahirap po siya pero hindi po siya magiging sobrang hirap if isa po kami sa loob ng court.”
Cantada made her mark in the UAAP high school division by winning the Season 87 MVP trophy with the Baby Falcons.
Adding to the pressure of being a decorated high school spiker is the challenge of helping the Lady Bulldogs recover from the loss of four key players, including three-time UAAP collegiate MVP Bella Belen.
But the departures of Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring, and Erin Pangilinan also serve as motivation for Cantada in her rookie year.
“Marami nga pong nagsasabi na wala na sila Ate Bella, sila Ate Aly, mga seniors po dati, kaya baka raw yung NU tagilid na naman ganyan. Hindi naman siya nakaka-down sa amin. May part, pero ready naman kaming i-overcome yun,” said Cantada, who plays the same position as Belen — outside spiker.
“Hindi po magiging madali itong season na ito sa amin kasi nga po defending champion and ini-aim din po namin ma-defend ‘yung title this year.”
#WATCH: GRABE YUNG PRESSURE SA ‘KIN 🏐
UAAP Season 87 Girls MVP Sam Cantada is ready to rise for NU in #UAAPSeason88#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/wP2r9NagXs
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— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 11, 2026
