Even the brightest stage in UAAP women’s volleyball has a way of exposing nerves, and presumptive Rookie of the Year Sam Cantada found that out the hard way on Wednesday night.
Cantada endured her most difficult outing of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the worst possible moment. Her two-time defending champion National University suffered a straight-sets defeat to the still-unbeaten De La Salle University, 25-23, 25-18, 25-18, placing its title defense and three-peat bid in danger.
Matched against a seasoned La Salle frontline led by Angel Canino, Amie Provido, Lilay del Castillo, and Shane Reterta, Cantada struggled to find her rhythm under Finals pressure. She finished with just two points on 1-of-16 attack efficiency (5.56-percent) while also tallying 3-of-15 excellent receptions.
The Season 86 High School Girls’ Volleyball champion from Adamson University did not shy away from accountability, admitting that the weight of the UAAP Finals stage got the better of her.
In the elimination round, Cantada had been one of NU’s most consistent weapons, finishing sixth in the statistical points race with 66.786 points. She ranked eighth in scoring with 201 points, second in aces with a 0.41 average per set, seventh in spiking at a 35.36-percent success rate, and seventh in receptions with a 37.9-percent efficiency.
(C) PVL Images
“Overwhelmed, po. Siyempre, first time ko, pero siyempre nandiyan naman yung mga Ates para gabayan ako,” Cantada told reporters on Wednesday evening inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
“Siguro normal naman siguro sa first-timer na tulad ko,” she added when asked if the championship jitters took over in Game 1.
For Cantada and the Lady Bulldogs, however, the story is far from over.
Despite the setback and her struggles, NU’s veteran core led by team captain Vange Alinsug, Lams Lamina, and Arah Panique immediately stepped in to lift the young outside hitter’s spirits, making sure she does not dwell on her Game 1 performance.
With NU now in a must-win situation, Cantada understands that regaining her confidence will not happen overnight. The focus, she said, is to return to fundamentals and rebuild her rhythm ahead of the do-or-die Game 2.
Game 2 is set this Saturday, May 9, still at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Ang sabi lang naman sa amin ay hindi pa tapos. ’Yon lang, hindi pa tapos ang Finals,” Cantada expressed.
“Siguro start ulit ako na makakuha ng kumpiyansa sa training kasi doon talaga lahat nagsisimula.”
