National University absorbed a double whammy on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The team did not just surrender its unbeaten run in a stunning five-set loss to the University of the Philippines, 25-16, 25-16, 22-25, 29-31, 16-18. It also saw rookie Sam Cantada go down with a right shin injury in the thick of the fight in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
With the Lady Bulldogs cruising early before unraveling late, the setback was compounded midway through the third set. Trailing 13-20, Cantada absorbed an accidental kick to the shin from second-year IC Cepada during a loose-ball collision — forcing the 18-year-old outside hitter to miss the fourth and fifth frames as NU ultimately dropped to 3-1.
Despite playing just two sets, Cantada still tallied 10 points on four aces, three attacks, and three blocks, alongside seven excellent digs.
“Kanina po kasi nasipa po ‘yung shin ko ni Ate IC. Pero okay naman po. Pagbalik naman po dito sa bench, inasikaso naman ako ni PT. Bukas po siguro magre-rehab muna ako and magpapa-MRI po,” Cantada told Tiebreaker Times postgame.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The former Adamson High standout admitted she felt eager to return and help preserve NU’s spotless record. But seeing fellow rookie Den Daylisan rise to the occasion offered reassurance.
Daylisan showed poise beyond her years in the fifth set. With the score tied at 8-all, the Davao native strung together four straight points — built on two consecutive combination plays and back-to-back aces — to push the Lady Bulldogs ahead, 13-9.
Still, NU faltered in the closing stretch as it failed to contain the quartet of Jelai Gajero, Casiey Dongallo, Niña Ytang, and Bienne Bansil, allowing UP to complete the reverse sweep and forge a share of second place at 3-1.
“Siyempre, nandoon po yung eagerness po kasi. Pero at the same time po, pumapasok din sa utak ko na may itinuturo po sa akin si Lord na baka time ni Den. Nag-show up din naman si Den, tinapangan din naman ni Den,” Cantada shared.
Now facing winless University of the East and Ateneo de Manila University before a highly-anticipated Season 87 Finals rematch against De La Salle University, Cantada remains hopeful — even as she braces for her scheduled MRI.
“Positive lang din naman kahit syempre, kinakabahan positive pa rin naman po.”
#WATCH: CANTADA UPDATE 🐶
Sam gives an update on her status after injuring her shin in NU’s match against UP 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/VG4yZl3pnX
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times #UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/ri1XCKRxkP
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 28, 2026
