Games Wednesday
(UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, Manila)
9 a.m. – Adamson vs NU (men’s)
11 a.m. – Adamson vs NU (women’s)
3 p.m. – UE vs FEU (men’s)
5 p.m. – UE vs FEU (women’s)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
Sam Cantada tries to replicate her stellar seniors debut when reigning champion National University goes for back-to-back wins against Shai Nitura-led Adamson in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila Wednesday, Feb. 18.
Following her 21-point explosion against host University of Santo Tomas last weekend, the 18-year-old Cantada looks to take the spotlight anew against his former squad in the juniors level, the Lady Falcons who were spearheaded by once super rookie Nitura.
It would be an exciting 11 a.m. showdown between the two emerging volleyball stars with University of the East and Far Eastern University closing out the four-game action in the Tigresses’ lair.
With her recent performance, Cantada was a favorite to snare the Rookie of the Year plum which its last recipient was Nitura who had a record-breaking run in Season 87.
In front of 15,215 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, the 5-foot-7 hitter brushed aside pressure and impressed with a superb showing on both ends, leading the Regine Diego-mentored crew down the wire over the feisty Golden Tigresses side.
“Una naman kasi sa lahat, may goal po talaga kami. Syempre po ‘yong team po namin is defending champion. So para sa akin naman po, wala naman kami dapat patunayan,” said Cantada after NU’s 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24 escape against UST.
“Gawin lang po namin ‘yong best namin every game, okay na po ‘yon sa amin. Kasi manalo matalo man, madami naman po kami matututunan at madadala pa po namin sa mga next games po namin,” she added.
The Dasmariñas, Cavite native banners the pack with mainstays Vange Alinsug, Shaira Jardio, Lams Lamina, and Arah Panique as they target a great stretch during the first round to bolster their three-peat bid.
Nitura, on the other hand, is expected to join forces with Frances Mordi and Fhei Sagaysay as they intend to score another big win after a 25-19, 25-18, 25-10 drubbing of Ateneo.
Meanwhile, Tin Ubaldo and the Lady Tamaraws aim to barge into the win column after absorbing a 25-19, 25-14, 27-25 loss to last year’s bridesmaid La Salle in the opener.
Ubaldo, alongside Gerz Petallo, Cla Loresco and Jaz Ellarina, will banner FEU’s attack against the trio of Nessa Bangayan, Khy Cepada and Bea Zamudio.
The Lady Warriors are aching to snap a 15-game losing streak since last season.
In men’s division, FEU, which is powered by Dryx Saavedra and Mikko Espartero, eyes second straight win against UE in a 3 p.m. clash, while Adamson and NU open the quadruple header at 9 a.m. for the upper hand.
