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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Spotlight on Cantada-Nitura II as NU, Adamson clash in crucial match

Spotlight on Cantada-Nitura II as NU, Adamson clash in crucial match

Published Apr 4, 2026 10:04 am

At A Glance

  • Top hitters Sam Cantada and Shai Nitura take center stage as reigning champion National University and Adamson clash anew to boost their respective Final Four bids when the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball tournament returns on Easter Sunday, April 5, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
Sam Cantada is expected to lead NU against the Shai Nitura-led Adamson. (UAAP Media)
Sam Cantada is expected to lead NU against the Shai Nitura-led Adamson. (UAAP Media)
Top hitters Sam Cantada and Shai Nitura take center stage as reigning champion National University and Adamson clash anew to boost their respective Final Four bids when the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament returns on Easter Sunday, April 5, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
With four games left for each well-rested squad, the three-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Falcons are expected to go all out as they both look to extend their winning ways and, more importantly, solidify their spots in the semifinals as the race tightens in the coming weeks.
The second clash of NU (7-3) and Adamson (6-4) is set at 5 p.m., serving as a main event in the four-game bill which also pits host University of Santo Tomas (6-4) and UE (0-10) at 11 a.m that kickstarts the action in the distaff side.
It would be a crucial game for NU, Adamson, and UST as a win would get them closer to the No. 2 spot, just behind the untouchable De La Salle (10-0), which is eyeing to sweep its remaining contests for an outright Finals berth.
A win by the Lady Bulldogs, who are coming from a three-set triumph over Ateneo, would tighten their grip on the No. 2 seed. Otherwise, NU and Adamson would be deadlocked at 7-4, which would further intensify the semis chase.
Far Eastern University, UST, and the San Marcelino-based squad are currently locked in a three-way tie at 6-4, while lurking behind is University of the Philippines (4-6), which is still in the hunt as the Lady Warriors and the Blue Eagles (1-9) have been knocked out of contention.
Despite winning in three sets in their first-round meeting last Feb. 18, NU has no plans of entering the match with complacency as it expects a tougher challenge against Adamson, which is continuously rising through its solid 1-2 punch in Nitura and Frances Mordi.
“Of course, we’re going to prepare as much as we can for that game, because it’s very important, starting naman second round… and we know Adamson is playing well,” said NU head coach Regine Diego.
In their recent matchup, the Lady Bulldogs prevailed after denying the Lady Falcons’ late surge, 25-23, 25-19, 28-26. There, Cantada, Arah Panique, and Vange Alinsug orchestrated their assault and once more this time with Lams Lamina and Shaira Jardio providing the support.
It marked the first time NU rookie ace Cantada and Nitura, both former Adamson standouts in the juniors where they each won MVP honors, faced off in the UAAP seniors, with the latter outscoring her former teammate but falling short of saving Adamson.
With the outcome, the Alas Pilipinas star is anticipated to bring out her A-game alongside Mordi, Lhouiz Tuddao, Princess Dote, Abegail Segui, and Fhei Sagaysay as the JP Yude-mentored crew goes for its third straight win after its sweep victory against UE last time out.
Meanwhile, the Golden Tigresses, who held off the Lady Tamaraws in their previous assignment, target a slight edge to temporarily hold one of the coveted semis seats when they gun for a repeat against a slumping Lady Warriors side which eyes its breakthrough win that will cut its 24-game losing streak since the last edition.
This year’s MVP race leader Angge Poyos, Reg Jurado, Jonna Perdido, Avril Bron, Cassie Carballo, and skipper Detdet Pepito spearhead a promising UST crew, while Khy Cepada, Nessa Bangayan, Bea Zamudio, and Angge Reyes anchor UE’s attack.
In the men’s fray, the six-peat-seeking NU (8-2) aims to secure its fourth straight win over Adamson (2-8) and inch closer to No. 1 FEU (9-1), while UST (6-4) fights UE (2-8) for a rebound win that could solidify its semis bid.

Related Tags

Sam Cantada Shai Nitura NU Lady Bulldogs Adamson Lady Falcons UAAP Season 88 UST Golden Tigresses UE Lady Warriors Angge Poyos
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