John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771401217053UAAP 88 WVB NU vs. ADU - -4429.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate against Adamson in the UAAP Season 88 women&#x27;s volleyball tournament, February 18, 2026 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. UAAP Media" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate against Adamson in the UAAP Season 88 women&#x27;s volleyball tournament, February 18, 2026 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. <em>UAAP Media</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) – Rookie Sam Cantada continued to stand tall for the National University Lady Bulldogs, lifting them past her former school, Adamson University, on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.  </p><p>The defending champions beat a gritty Lady Falcons side, 25-23, 25-19, 28-26, powered by Cantada&#x27;s 16 points on 13 attacks, two service aces and one block. </p><p>After her 21-point outing in her collegiate debut, Cantada was on the winning end against her former Adamson Lady Baby Falcons teammates Shaina Nitura, Abby Segui and Fhei Sagaysay.  </p><p>Together, they won the UAAP Season 86 Girls Volleyball title, before Cantada transferred to NU Nazareth School in the second semester. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2026/2/15/rookie-sam-cantada-credits-vets-guidance-as-key-in-handling-uaap-s-bright-lights-2013">READ: Rookie Sam Cantada credits vets’ guidance as key in handling UAAP’s bright lights</a></div><p>Arah Panique pitched in 13 points on nine attacks and four blocks, while setter Abegail Pono put up 14 excellent sets to lead the Lady Bulldogs to their second straight win.  </p><p>After a tight game in the first set, Cantada took charge in the second set where she had back-to-back service aces.  </p><p>In the final set, Adamson kept in step with NU for the most part, behind the duo of Nitura and Frances Mordi. </p><p>The Lady Falcons were one point away from extending the set, 24-23, with an Eloi Dote block on Cantada. </p><p>But the rookie from Cavite bounced back, scoring off the block to save set point. </p><p>Nitura tried to keep the hopes of Adamson alive, bringing them to set point at 25-24, before Panique and a Lady Falcons service error brought NU ahead again.  </p><p>NU&#x27;s Alexa Mata closed out the match with a service ace, after a crucial Nitura error. </p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m so proud of them. I&#x27;m very happy na we took those sets even though nahirapan kami. I think it&#x27;s one way for us to learn more, we have to gel more. We&#x27;re not new to this... We just have to stay humble and continue to learn,&quot; Lady Bulldogs head coach Regine Diego said at the post-game press conference. </p><p>As for Cantada, she said she was focused on playing her game, not minding that her opponents are her former teammates and school. </p><p>&quot;Actually wala na pong emotions. Wala na pong emotions. Okay naman na po kami nila Coach [JP] Yude po, okay naman po. Hindi na po para isali. Game is game na po yung mga ganun. Yun po,&quot; she said. </p><p>&quot;Before yung game ang mindset ko lang talaga is mag-focus lang ako at gawin ko yung best ko. Kasi yun nga po, game is game nga po. Past na yun, tapos na po yun. Ngayon is okay na rin po sila doon at okay na rin po ako dito,&quot; Cantada added.</p><p>The NU head coach was all praises for Cantada after another impressive performance. </p><p>&quot;We feel in NU, we&#x27;re very lucky to have Sam with us. And we&#x27;re hoping she gets to grow with us also. Yung fact na she&#x27;s happy with us, nakakataba ng puso because hindi lang siya naglalaro ng maganda, she&#x27;s also comfortable where she is and growing every day,&quot; Diego said. </p><p>The Lady Bulldogs will return to action on Saturday against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws at the Mall of Asia Arena. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NO8-hwJYBkE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Sam Cantada led the National University Lady Bulldogs past her former school, Adamson University, in the #UAAPSeason88 women's volleyball tournament.</p>

Sam Cantada led the National University Lady Bulldogs past her former school, Adamson University, in the #UAAPSeason88 women's volleyball tournament.

UAAP: Cantada lifts NU Lady Bulldogs past former school Adamson

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UAAP: Cantada lifts NU Lady Bulldogs past former school Adamson

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 18, 2026 01:14 PM PHT

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Updated February 18, 2026 03:53 PM PHT

Read More:

abssports

volleyball

UAAP Season 88

National University Lady Bulldogs

Sam Cantada

Adamson University

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