UAAP: Sam Cantada, NU move forward after painful loss to La Salle

UAAP Season 88 volleyball tournament – second round

NU Lady Bulldogs waiting the review during a game against La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Sam Cantada was visibly frustrated after National University’s five-set thrilling loss to La Salle in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

The Lady Bulldogs absorbed a 27-25, 15-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13 loss at the hands of the Lady Spikers, and what stung even more was the endgame controversy.

The nail-biting end to the fifth set turned anticlimactic when challenges determined La Salle’s trip to the UAAP Finals.

READ: UAAP explains controversial net touch call in La Salle-NU duel

“Ang sinabi lang sa amin is, tapos na ‘yon. Masakit ‘yong talo na ‘yon, siyempre, kasi ‘di po siya naging malinis na tawag, pero ang tinatak lang namin sa utak namin is, ‘di pa tapos,” Cantada told the Inquirer.

“Meron pa kaming next game. Paghuhugtan namin yung game namin kanina para sa next game namin.”

(The only thing our coaches told us was that this one over. The loss was painful because the calls were a bit unclear but we’re putting it in our heads that this isn’t over yet. We still have our next game, and we’ll learn from this game.)

NU’s Sam Cantada talks about their tough loss to La Salle. #UAAPSeason88 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/zddgCMKjcD

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) April 19, 2026

In the final set, La Salle was at match point, 14-13, before it was called for a four-touch violation that could’ve sent the game to a 14-all deadlock.

Lady Spikers coach Ramil De Jesus requested a challenge on a block touch for La Salle but it was unsuccessful.

During the review, the referees instead saw a net touch violation on NU’s Arah Panique that gave the point to the Lady Spikers.

La Salle completed a 14-0 sweep of the elimination round and forced the postseason into a stepladder format instead of the Final Four.

Cantada’s 14 points that went with 24 receptions and 11 digs went for naught as the Lady Bulldogs slid to a 9-4 card in one game left in the elimination round.

Instead of brooding over the painful loss, NU’s prized rookie chose to look ahead to their next game against UST at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“It really hurts to lose like this but our team kept saying this isn’t over because no one’s a champion yet. We’ll make our own story,” Cantada said.