Cantada tows NU past Adamson

Rookie Sam Cantada once again flexed her scoring prowess as defending champion National University snatched a second straight win for the solo lead in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament.

Cantada unleashed 16 points in the three-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs’ tight 25-23, 25-19, 28-26, sweep of Adamson University on Wednesday at the University of Santo Tomas (UST)Quadricentennial Pavilion for a 2-0 win-loss record.

The lefty winger did most of the damage against her former school and outplayed ex-teammates Shaina Nitura, Abby Segui and Fhei Sagaysay in their first collegiate meeting.

Cantada collected 13 kills, two aces, and a kill to go with nine excellent receptions and five digs for an all-around outing.

“I just wanted to do my best. I have nothing to prove against any schools here. I just want to do my best every game and that’s enough for me,” the 18-year-old open spiker said as she downplayed the angle of rivalry against the school she left after playing two seasons for its high school squad.

“Actually, there’s no more emotion involved. We’re all OK. We don’t want to put too much drama because it’s just a game,” Cantada said.

Cantada, who scored 21 points in her debut win over UST last Sunday, got ample support from her teammates.

Arah Panique scoring 13 markers off nine kills and four kill blocks and skipper Vange Alinsug, who celebrated her 23rd birthday, and Chams Maaya adding six each for the Lady Bulldogs.

NU got a scare in the third set with Adamson keeping the game close. The Lady Falcons reached the set point advantage twice before the Lady Bulldogs reclaimed the lead, 26-25.

Shaina Nitura tied it at 26 for Adamson, only to commit an error in the next play before Alexa Mata sealed it with an ace.

“Of course, I’m very proud of them and I’m very happy that we took those sets even though we had a hard time. I think it’s one way for us to learn more and we have to jell more because, you know, we’re not new to this but we have to jell more because this is a kind of new team,” Lady Bulldogs coach Regine Diego said.

“So, we just have to stay humble and continue to learn.”

Nitura and Nigerian winger Frances Mordi had 18 and 17 points, respectively, for the Lady Falcons, who slipped to a 1-1 win-loss card.

Mordi stepped up when Nitura struggled, hammering 16 attacks, alongside five excellent digs and three excellent receptions. Rookie opposite spiker Abby Segui added six points on five attacks and seven excellent receptions.