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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Cantada drops 32 as NU outlasts UP in five-set thriller

Cantada drops 32 as NU outlasts UP in five-set thriller

Published Mar 18, 2026 07:02 pm

At A Glance

  • Sam Cantada dropped a career-high 32-point explosion and powered reigning champion National University to a hard-fought 24-26, 25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 15-8 payback win over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball tournament on Wednesday, March 18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
NU's Sam Cantada (UAAP Media)
NU's Sam Cantada (UAAP Media)
Sam Cantada dropped a career-high 32-point explosion and powered reigning champion National University to a hard-fought 24-26, 25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 15-8 payback win over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, March 18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In a thrilling rematch where Cebuanas Vange Alinsug and Niña Ytang were tipped to steal the spotlight, it was Cantada who flipped the script, delivering an impressive showing to power the Lady Bulldogs to their sixth win against two losses for No. 2.
“Of course, we’re happy, we count all the wins, and this is a good comeback for us. Hopefully, tuloy-tuloy siya,” said NU head coach Regine Diego.
“It’s a challenging time for all the teams, kasi mas mataas na ‘yong pressure, mas kailangan ng manalo, [and] ang daming factors we are trying to manage," she added. "But the only thing that pushes us is if we play together."
Cantada, who finally got her crack at UP after missing their first meeting due to a right shin injury, anchored NU’s charge by firing 27 kills, three blocks and two aces on top of 18 receptions and 13 digs.
“For me po, collective effort naman po ‘yong nangyari. Hindi lang po ako ‘yon, kinicredit ko rin po sa mga teammates ko po ‘yon kaya ko po nakuha ‘yong points na ‘to,” said Cantada.
Her scoring output was the most recent 30-point performance by any NU player since Alyssa Solomon's 34 points in Game 2 against De La Salle of Season 85 Finals on May 14, 2023. 
The pulsating five-setter turned into a shootout, with NU’s Cantada and Arah Panique trading blows with UP’s Jelai Gajero and Kianne Olangao, but it was the Lady Bulldogs who had the last work, storming back from a 1-2 deficit and unleashing a decisive breakaway run in the fifth set to complete their revenge win.
Panique backstopped Cantada with 19 points off 15 attacks and four blocks, while Chams Maaya and Alinsug conspired for 15 points. Abegail Pono tallied five points on top of 21 excellent sets.
It was a tough loss for UP, which slipped to 3-5 at sixth spot despite Gajero and Olango pacing the crew with 22 and 20 points.
The Maroons also felt the absence of Casiey Dongallo, who will be out for the remainder of the season due to a left knee injury.

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Sam Cantada NU Lady Bulldogs UAAP Season 88
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