Metro Manila, Philippines – Promising rookie Sam Cantada led the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs to a straight-set victory over the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 25-23, 25-19, 28-26, in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

The 18-year-old Cantada, who played for the Adamson high school team before transferring to NU, got the better of her former teammates Shaina Nitura, Abby Segui, and Fhei Sagaysay in their first collegiate meeting.

Cantada fired 16 points on 13 attacks, two aces, and a block, while Arah Panique added 13 points for the Lady Bulldogs.

The Lady Falcons were holding on to a precarious lead late in the tightly contested third set but they shot themselves in the foot with a couple of errors to give NU the win.

The Lady Bulldogs improved to 2-0 in the team standings, while Adamson slipped to 1-1.

Shaina Nitura and Frances Mordi tallied a game-high 18 points and 17 points for the Lady Falcons, respectively.

NU will next face the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, while Adamson battles the University of the East Lady Warriors on Feb. 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.