UAAP: Prized rookie Sam Cantada shrugs off pressure in NU title bid

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 88 volleyball tournament – first round

NU Lady Bulldogs’ prized rookie Sam Cantada during the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament press conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — All eyes are on super rookie Sam Cantada as National University’s latest prized recruit, but she is not burdened by the pressure of filling in the void left by three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.

While she’s got big shoes to fill with the departure of Belen and Solomon, Cantada knows it won’t be just her working hard to usher in a new era in NU’s road to a historic ‘three-peat’ in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament.

READ: MVP Sam Cantada wins another girls title, this time with NUNS

“For me, it’s not really a heavy burden because that role isn’t meant for just one specific person. All of us can step up. We all lead in our own ways. So it’s not that hard to handle,” said Cantada in Filipino.

The UAAP MVP from Adamson High School, though, admitted that she feels pressure with following in the footsteps of past prized rookies like Belen, Angel Canino, Angge Poyos, and Shaina, but her sole focus in her first year is helping the team keep the crown.

“It won’t be easy to defend the title because Ate Bella set such a high standard. But as long as we’re there for each other, I believe we can win it again—hopefully make it a three-peat,” said Cantada.

Cantana believes her preseason exposure in the Shakey’s Super League and Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association and a national team stint in the Asian Youth Games has made her ready for the UAAP collegiate war.

“I think I’m braver now because I’m really being tested in training. In every tune-up game, I’m usually the one being targeted. So I treat it as a challenge. Right now, I feel like I’ve become tougher because of it,” she said.

“When I joined the national team, it wasn’t just my skills that were tested. What I learned most was understanding my teammates. We all handle challenges differently, so for me, learning how to understand others stood out the most.”

Cantada is also looking forward to facing Angel Canino of La Salle and her fellow Adamson High School product Shaina Nitura.

Making her debut on Sunday, she expects to be targeted by the University of Santo Tomas after their intense Shakey’s finals duel last year.

“I feel like I’ll be guarded more closely. But that’s okay—we’ll keep fighting,” said Cantada.