Games today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

9 a.m. — Adamson vs Ateneo (m)

11 a.m. — NU vs UST (m)

1 p.m. — Adamson vs Ateneo (w)

3 p.m. — NU vs UST (w)

Prized National University (NU) rookie Sam Cantada acknowledges the pressure of living up to the expectations with the hype she received during the preseason.

A baptism of fire awaits the power-hitter as the three-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs face an acid test against a fiercer University of Santo Tomas (UST) to begin their post-Bella Belen era in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament today at the Mall of Asia Arena.   

All eyes are on the 18-year-old recruit when “rebuilding” NU, under new head coach Regine Diego, marches into center stage at 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Shaina Nitura-bannered Adamson University battles Ateneo de Manila University in the 1 p.m. curtain-raiser.

In men’s play, six-peat-seeking Bulldogs clash with the Golden Spikers at 11 a.m. while the Falcons and Blue Eagles meet at 9 a.m.

Cantada will be filling the big shoes left by three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Belen, who left a winning legacy along with other key departures, Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring and Erin Pangilinan after winning the school’s third title in four seasons.

The Season 87 high school MVP from Adamson University gave the Lady Bulldogs faithful a glimpse of what she could bring to the table during the pre-season. She led NU to victory in the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals Davao Leg and the Preseason Unity Cup.

Interestingly, Cantada and NU will take on the Golden Tigresses in a rematch of the Unity Cup final that went the full five sets.           

Doing much of the damage in their last meeting, Cantada knows UST will have its eyes on her, but she’s ready to respond to the challenge.

“I feel (the match) will be more intense this time,” Cantada said.

“I feel they’ll be more prepared and ready to defend me. But we’ll give them a good fight also.”

Diego, who replaced Sherwin Meneses last September, will also bank on the leadership of holdovers skipper Vange Alinsug, setter Lams Lamina, Chams Maaya, Arah Panique and Celine Marsh.

The Tigresses, on the other hand, brought in decorated coach Shaq delos Santos, who steered UST to its last championship 16 years ago, to replace Kungfu Reyes.  

Delos Santos inherits a veteran-laden crew led by Angge Poyos, Xyza Gula, Regina Jurado, setter Cassie Carballo and graduating libero Detdet Pepito.