Sam-thing big: NU finds heir apparent in Cantada

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Sam-thing big: NU finds heir apparent in Cantada image

Photo: UAAP

By Nate Castillo

For over a decade, National University has been blessed with a new generation of talent.

Towering Jaja Santiago laid the foundation of a competitive Lady Bulldogs pack, which would eventually become champions of three of the last four University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball seasons behind three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Bella Belen.

Season 87 was the last dance for Belen and other homegrown NU talents from an eight—year program that started with their stints in the high school division.

Doubts about whether the Lady Bulldogs could sustain their dangerous bite post-Belen era for a three-peat drive gave opposition confidence to finally toppling the top dogs.

But then came prized recruit Sam Cantada.

The baby-faced rookie has made quite a reputation during her high school stint, having won the UAAP title for Adamson University in Season 86 and been named season 87 MVP despite a foiled title defense.

Photo: UAAP

Many raised their brows when the 18-year-old winger suddenly left Adamson and joined the same team that dethroned the Baby Lady Falcons midway through the school year.

The summer of 2025 saw Cantada seamlessly fit with the Junior Lady Bullpups.

Photo: UAAP

She led NU-Nazareth School-backed National Capital Region win the Palarong Pambansa crown before wrapping her final tournament as a high school player with the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League championship and the MVP to boot.

Months later, the lefty open spiker would hook up with the rebuilding Lady Bulldogs to bag the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Davao Leg crown and was named Best Player. Cantada gave UAAP rivals a glimpse of what she could bring to the table with NU’s four-peat conquest of the SSL Preseason Unity Cup.

Photo: UAAP

She did not disappoint in her first three games as a Lady Bulldog in the UAAP, leading NU to three straight wins to start Season 88.

“Of course, I feel, we feel we are very lucky to have Sam with us and hopefully she gets to grow with us also,” Lady Bulldogs first-year coach Regine Diego said.

“The fact that she's happy with us, fills our hearts because she’s not only playing well but she's also comfortable where she is, and she is growing every day. We’re happy for her.”

Photo: UAAP

Cantada is averaging 16.0 points per game and has established herself as a go-to-guy alongside seniors Vange Alinsug and Arah Panique.

“Actually, I’m very proud of her. This is just her rookie year and I can see that she really fights for every point, every game,” team captain Alinsug said.

Cantada is aware of the big shoes she has to fill, and she’s up to the challenge.

“I know the weight of the pressure on me, knowing the high standard Ate Bella and the others left, she said.

“But my coaches and teammates are always there to guide and help me.”

The journey to a third straight crown is still long, but the Lady Bulldogs are on the right path.

Truly, NU has found the right girl to carry the baton passed by Belen.

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