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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider With Sam Cantada doubtful, NU looks to regain form vs UE; FEU targets first back-to-back wins

With Sam Cantada doubtful, NU looks to regain form vs UE; FEU targets first back-to-back wins

Published Mar 3, 2026 02:36 pm

At A Glance

  • Reigning champion National University seeks to regain its form when it takes on University of the East, while Far Eastern University eyes its first back-to-back wins in the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, March 4.
Arah Panique and the NU Lady Bulldogs look to bounce back when they battle the UE Lady Warriors. (UAAP Media)
Arah Panique and the NU Lady Bulldogs look to bounce back when they battle the UE Lady Warriors. (UAAP Media)
Reigning champion National University seeks to regain its form when it takes on University of the East, while Far Eastern University eyes its first back-to-back wins in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, March 4.
With Sam Cantada uncertain to suit up due to right shin injury, the Lady Bulldogs are determined to recover from their previous defeat against the Lady Warriors who hope to snap their 18-game losing streak.
Action between NU and UE fires off at 1 p.m., with the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the Lady Tamaraws squaring off at 3 p.m. where both squads eye a better position in the standings before the conclusion of this year’s first round.
Cantada’s absence in the third set was a huge blow for NU as it failed to contain the Niña Ytang-led University of the Philippines despite the offensive contributions from mainstays Vange Alinsug, Arah Panique, Alexa Mata, and Chams Maaya.
It was a classic five-set thriller, which the Lady Bulldogs are using as a lesson and an added motivation for their three-peat bid this season. Head coach Regine Diego was aware of the tougher challenges before the meet started.
So are Alinsug and Panique, the two power-hitting spikers leading the way anew for NU (3-1) with the playmaking prowess of Lams Lamina and leadership from libero Shaira Jardio as they aim to earn a solo second spot and get closer to De La Salle (4-0).
The veteran spikers must step their game up as the 18-year-old Cantada, one of the favorites to win this season's Rookie of the Year award, remains indefinite in the NU-UE collision as her MRI results weren't out yet.
UE, which is coming from a three-set loss to host University of Santo Tomas, is eager to break free from a string of setbacks with Khy Cepada, Nessa Bangayan, and Bea Zamudio at its forefront.
Meanwhile, the Tina Salak-mentored crew (2-2) is seeking to change the trend of its campaign with a chance of scoring two straight victories against Ateneo (0-4), which, for its part, is determined to barge into the win column.
Aly Devosora, backed by Faida Bakanke, Gerz Petallo, and Jaz Ellarina, continues her rise for FEU after an 18-point performance to anchor a four-set triumph over the Shai Nitura-skippered Adamson last weekend.
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