National University (NU) fired a warning shot to the rest of the field that they would have to work harder to knock the Lady Bulldogs off the throne in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament.

Even with a new system under first year head coach Regine Diego and a younger pack, NU shattered its rivals’ false hope of getting a better crack at stopping its three-peat bid following the departure of top stars Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.

Rookie Sam Cantada emerged as the Lady Bulldogs’ newest weapon and along with the steady leadership of skipper Vange Alinsug, NU showed that it still has the same snappy bite despite the new look.

Cantada, Alinsug and Arah Panique led the way as the Lady Bulldogs passed an early acid test with a gritty, 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24, victory over University of Santo Tomas last Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The composure and will to win displayed by the Lady Bulldogs, especially in the fourth set, where they came back from 16-20 down, was solid proof of the team’s winning culture despite the many changes.    

“Well, I’ve been making this team about them. So, our system is not dependent on me,” said Diego, who replaced Sherwin Meneses last September as the team’s fourth mentor in the past five seasons.    

“I want to make them decide what they want, what they’re comfortable with, and (what) they’re very good at. So, the system is their system that we try to polish. I’m not trying to make big changes. We’re just trying to improve on what they know already because everybody’s already skillful,” she added. 

“So, we’re just continuing with what they learned from the previous coaches. We’re trying to get the best practices, best things, so that we can still defend the championship.”

Cantada, who has built a strong case as heir apparent to three-time Most Valuable Player Belen, made her presence felt with the kind of performance expected from a sought-after recruit.

The Season 87 high school MVP delivered 21 points and played clutch in the endgame, scoring seven of the Lady Bulldogs’ closing 10-4 run.

“I know a lot of people will say that Sam just got luck, but I’ve seen it so many times already. So, it’s her, it’s her character,” Diego said of the 18-year-old winger. 

“She’s really a good fighter especially in crucial games, so I didn’t doubt her and I was so sure, that she’s going to bring us home.”

For Diego, the journey to a historic three-peat is still a long way to go but the Lady Bulldogs’ rousing win is a good start.