Sam Cantada assured that she is fit to play for National University in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
With the Lady Bulldogs trailing 13-20 in the third set of their loss to the UP Fighting Maroons, the Adamson High product suffered a right shin injury after absorbing an accidental kick from second-year libero IC Cepada.
Despite sitting out NU’s straight-set win over the winless University of the East, the 19-year-old outside hitter allayed fears of a serious injury.
She suited up and went through warm-ups with the Lady Bulldogs, but the team hardly missed a beat even with Cantada sidelined, cruising past the Lady Warriors, 25-19, 25-10, 25-19, on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
“Okay naman po ako. Inaantay lang yung result. Okay naman. Wala naman need i-ano, basta okay lang. Hindi na need i-MRI,” Cantada told reporters postgame.
NU barely felt Cantada’s absence as the Regine Diego-mentored squad saw sophomore spiker Celine Marsh rise to the occasion against the struggling UE side.
Marsh, who previously saw action only in the Lady Bulldogs’ five-set win over Far Eastern University, delivered her best outing of Season 88 with 11 points built on eight attacks, two aces, and one block, along with 12 excellent digs and four excellent receptions.
For Cantada, the 20-year-old’s breakout performance was a welcome development — underscoring the importance of every Lady Bulldog gaining the confidence needed to contribute.
“Siyempre po, sobrang proud ako kasi nakakakuha lahat [sa team] ng kumpiyansa po,” Cantada shared.
The Dasmariñas, Cavite-native added that she simply followed the instructions of the team’s physical therapist and coaching staff, noting that NU is bracing for tougher matches to close out the first round.
The Lady Bulldogs, who currently sit in solo second place with a 4-1 record, will next face the winless Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles before wrapping up the first round with a highly anticipated Season 87 Finals rematch against the unbeaten De La Salle University Lady Spikers.
“Mag-rest daw muna ako kasi marami pa namang games, and mas mabibigat din yung mga games namin, kaya rest na lang daw.”
#WATCH: NO PAIN 🐶
Sam Cantada is just waiting to gain clearance to return to play for NU 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/QsCpQM3u6J
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/6S2ONUKncZ
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 4, 2026
