SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 88 volleyball tournament – FINALS
NU Lady Bulldogs’ Sam Cantada during a game against La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Rookie sensation Sam Cantada received a rude welcome in her first UAAP Finals in the collegiate ranks after she was limited to just two points in National University’s Game 1 loss on Wednesday.
Cantada only converted one kill out of her 18 spike attempts and was benched in the third set as the defending champions Lady Bulldogs got swept by La Salle, 25-23, 25-18, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball Finals opener.
READ: UAAP: Rookie Sam Cantada shrugs off pressure in NU title bid
“I feel overwhelmed. It’s my first time, but the ates are there to guide me,” said Cantada in Filipino. “I think it’s normal, especially for a first-timer like me,” she added.
Cantada, a presumptive Rookie of the Year winner, will be crowned in Game 2 before the Lady Bulldogs try to extend the championship series.
In Game 1, the former UAAP girls’ MVP was limited by La Salle’s defense to her season low.
“We didn’t have a specific defense for a specific player. Our focus is on our system. I reminded them that we’re the No. 1 blocking team, so we need to play like it. Whoever attacks, we have to be ready to block,” said the Lady Spikers’ coach Ramil De Jesus.
Despite an overwhelming debut, Cantada and the Lady Bulldogs vow to bounce back in Game 2.
“We just keep reminding ourselves that it’s not over yet. The Finals aren’t finished,” said Cantada. “I’ll try to rebuild my confidence starting in training, because that’s really where everything begins.”