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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Sam Cantada all business vs Shai Nitura, former team Adamson

Sam Cantada all business vs Shai Nitura, former team Adamson

Published Feb 18, 2026 05:20 pm

At A Glance

  • Rookie sensation Sam Cantada brushed off the notion of revenge after leading reigning champion National University past her former team Adamson in the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball Wednesday, Feb. 18.
(UAAP Media)
(UAAP Media)
Rookie sensation Sam Cantada brushed off the notion of revenge after leading reigning champion National University past her former team Adamson in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball Wednesday, Feb. 18.
Cantada dazzled again and anchored the Lady Bulldogs over the Shai Nitura-led Lady Falcons in just three sets, 25-23, 25-19, 28-26, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
The 18-year-old power hitter performed well, but it has nothing to do with her first game against the San Marcelino-based squad.
“Actually, wala naman na emotions. Okay na rin talaga kami, okay na. Game is game lang. Labas na yung mga ganyan,” said Cantada, who finished with 16 points off 13 attacks, one block, and two aces.
“Sabi ko naman po before the game, ang mindset ko lang ay mag-focus lang ako at gawin ‘yong best ko, past na po ‘yon at ngayon po na okay sila do’n and okay naman po ako dito,” she added.
The Dasmariñas, Cavite native is the early favorite to win this year’s Rookie of the Year award, an honor which her former teammate Nitura bagged last edition.
Both Cantada and Nitura became pivotal pieces of the Baby Lady Falcons’ run in the juniors level.
Following her 21-point explosion in her seniors debut against host University of Santo Tomas, the 5-foot-7 outside hitter keeps on improving her confidence, particularly down the wire.
“Yes po, mas kumpiyansa [na po ako] lalo na sa crucial game, mas nalalaban ko po siya, nawawala na po ‘yong bigat sa dibdib ko,” Cantada continued.
“Happy for each and everyone na nakikita ko naman po na gusto nila [lahat manalo]… pwede rin makakapos every time, pero lagi rin may pagkakataong bumawi,” she added.
NU head coach Regine Diego urged the public to be more gentle, regarding their opinions to the players as all of them are still students.
“You can’t stop them… if we can sana hindi naman tayo [ganun] dapat sports lang tayo. It’s nice to be gentle with everyone dahil mga student athletes ‘to,” said Diego.
“We can’t control [‘yong ganung mga bagay]… and just focus on what’s important. We’re very lucky we have Sam with us.. In fact na she is happy with us, she’s comfortable samin and growing everyday,” she added.
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