NU’s Cantada admits getting ‘overwhelmed’ in first seniors finals game

MANILA, Philippines — The lights may have been too bright for Sam Cantada in her first UAAP volleyball finals in the seniors rank.

Cantada had a subpar performance for the National University Lady Bulldogs in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball finals. 

The presumptive season Rookie of the Year, in Game 1 of the finals against the La Salle Lady Spikers, finished with just two points on an attack and an ace. She also had four digs and three receptions.

After the game, the young volleyball said she was “overwhelmed” in her first game in the seniors’ championship.

“Syempre, first time ko, pero syempre nandiyan naman yung mga ates para gabayan ako,” she said after the 23-25, 18-25, 18-25 NU loss against the dominant La Salle side on Wednesday.

“Normal naman siguro [ang jitters] sa first timer na tulad ko,” she added. 

Cantada was among the top scorers of NU in the elimination round. 

Come the stepladder Final Four, she only scored four points against University of Santo Tomas, but had 11 digs and 11 receptions. 

She was basically checked against La Salle as she connected just once in her 18 attack attempts. She also won a point once in six serves. 

But Cantada said that she is eager to bounce back with NU fighting to complete a three-peat. 

“Ang sabi lang naman sa amin ay hindi pa tapos. Yun lang, hindi pa tapos ang finals,” she said. 

“Siguro start ulit ako na makakuha ng kumpiyansa sa training kasi doon talaga lahat nagsisimula.” 

NU will try to keep its season alive in Game 2 on Saturday, 5 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena.