Cantada lifts Lady Bulldogs past Lady Falcons

MANILA, Philippines — In a battle of young volleyball rising stars, Sam Cantada reigned supreme for the National University Lady Bulldogs.

Cantada carried the load for the three-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs side as they swept the Shaina Nitura-led Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-23, 25-19, 28-26, in their UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball clash Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

The 18-year-old former Juniors Most Valuable Player finished with 16 points on 13 attacks, two aces and a block. She also had nine excellent receptions against her former high school teammate Nitura. Arah Panique chipped in 13 markers on nine attacks and four blocks.

“Yes po [natagtag ko na ang pressure.] Mas kumpiyansa na rin po ako lalo na sa crucial game po, mas nalalaban ko po siya. Nawawala po yung bigat sa dibdib ko,” Cantada told reporters after the match.

The two teams were kept in a tight third set, with neither gaining significant advantage.

A Frances Mordi attack tied things up at 23-all.

A Princess Dote block on Cantada pushed the Lady Falcons ahead, 24-23, before a checkball by the young NU star tied things up anew.

Nitura then gave Adamson the set point, 25-24, but it was quickly taken back by a service error by Dote.

Panique and Nitura traded late attacks, before the Adamson star’s save went out, giving NU a 27-26 lead.

Alexa Mata then iced the match with a service ace to help the Lady Bulldogs stamp their second win in an hour and 31 minutes.

The reigning UAAP MVP Nitura produced 18 points for Adamson, all from attacks. Frances Mordi backstopped with 17.

Facing off against her former juniors team, Cantada said that she made sure to just focus on what’s in front of her.

“Game is game na po. Like past na yun, tapos na po yun, and alam ko po ngayon okay na rin sila doon and okay na rin ako dito.”

NU is now holding a 2-0 win-loss record in the season.

Adamson dropped to 1-1.

The Lady Bulldogs will try to keep it going as they take on the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, while the Lady Falcons will seek to return to its winning ways against University of the East Lady Warriors. Both games are on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

• Latest
• Trending