MANILA – National University staged a strong comeback behind rookie Samantha Cantada to defeat the University of the Philippines in a hard-fought five-set encounter, 24-26, 25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 15-8, in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball competition at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Cantada led all scorers with 32 points, highlighted by 27 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, as the Lady Bulldogs avenged their previous defeat to the Fighting Maroons.
The win lifted NU to a 6-2 slate, keeping them in second place behind league-leading De La Salle University.
Coach Regine Diego emphasized the importance of unity and resilience as the tournament intensifies.
“It’s a tough stretch for every team. The pressure is higher, but what keeps us going is playing as one,” she said.
NU seized control in the fifth set after trailing early, with setter Abe Pono orchestrating the offense and Cantada delivering crucial hits to seal the victory.
Aside from her scoring, Cantada also made her presence felt on defense with 18 receptions and 13 digs, underscoring her all-around performance.
Panique contributed 19 points, while Maaya added nine. Pono finished with 21 excellent sets, five points, and seven digs, and Jardio chipped in solid defensive numbers.
UP was led by Gajero with 22 points, followed by Olango with 20, while Bansil and Ytang combined for 26 markers. The loss marked the Fighting Maroons’ fourth consecutive defeat, dropping them to sixth place with a 3-5 record.
NU will next take on Far Eastern University, while UP looks to bounce back against University of the East on Sunday.
iamigo/xf
