UAAP Season 88 Rookie of the Year (ROY) Sam Cantada of the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs kept her head up after failing to reach the team’s goal for a three-peat bid.
La Salle ended NU’s hopes of extending its reign with a 16-0 sweep, stunning the Lady Bulldogs.
For the 19-year-old spiker, what is done is done, and she will carry all the lessons into the next season.
“Of course, we will carry this all. We really fought for this. We went through so much [to be in the finals],” she told the media after bowing to the Lady Spikers.
“We know that we can. But we faced a lot of struggles, and stepping into the finals means so much. That’s it, and we will work really hard for the next season,” she added.
The rookie was limited to just two points in Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series, followed by an 8-point outing in Game 2.
The young spiker was feted with the Rookie of the Year honors with 66.786 statistical points.
"Of course. First of all, thank you, Lord, for giving me the talent to earn this award. And of course, thank you also to my coaches and teammates who truly trusted me, which helped me achieve this,” she said.
While there wasn't much to say, the rookie relished the experience of playing against La Salle’s duo of Angel Canino and Shevana Laput.
“I’m also truly grateful to have faced opponents with that much experience. I can really learn a lot from them — seeing how brave they are and how much they truly want to win the game.”
The NU rookie sensation also got an Alas Pilipinas pool invite for the upcoming 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Cup from June 6 to 14 in Candon City. NICOLE ANNE BUGAUISAN
