AT the pinnacle of a fightback by the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, the National University Lady Bulldogs banked not on their senior players to salvage victory.
It was rookie Sam Cantada who came through in the clutch, powering a 7-1 finishing kick in the fourth set as NU prevailed, 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24, to start its title defense in the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
The rookie scored four points including three aces in the said run that turned a 19-23 deficit into a 26-24 fourth set win.
In that run, Cantada reminded the Lady Bulldogs fans of former stars Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.
NU first year head coach Regine Diego was not surprised with what her prized rookie did before the 13,132 fans in attendance.
"I know a lot of people will say that what happened with Sam was just luck, but I’ve seen it happen many times already," said Diego.
"It’s really her, it’s her character. She’s a really good fighter, especially in crucial games, so I didn’t doubt her. I was very sure that she was going to make it all the way to the end."
Cantada finished with 21 points on top of 14 excellent receptions and five digs for NU.
Cantada's clutch performance impressed NU senior player Vange Alinsug, who chipped in 18 points and 10 receptions.
"I’m really proud because of course it’s her rookie year, and I can really see in her that she truly wanted to fight for that point earlier—especially during that moment earlier," Alinsug said.
It's actually a 180-degree turnaround moment for Cantada, who said she has struggled with her service in practice but then pulled off those precise curving serves that stunned UST's defense in the clutch.
"It was just in my head—I felt like I was being tested during training. My serves were really bad, I was inconsistent," said the 5-foot-7 rookie.
"It stuck in my mind that I needed to overcome that. I needed to be consistent. I needed to fight through it because I could see that my teammates were fighting too."
Now looking like the next big thing for NU, the spotlight will now be aimed at Cantada, the Most Valuable Player of UAAP Season 87 girls volleyball tournament.
"I actually mentioned that during the press conference before the season started. The pressure on me has really been intense because the standard that Ate Bella left behind is very high," said Cantada.
"But of course, my coaches and teammates are there, helping me in every training session and constantly pushing me."