The NU Lady Bulldogs hope for the best as ace rookie Sam Cantada undergoes further testing to determine the severity of her apparent shin injury.
The three-peat seeking NU Lady Bulldogs will hope for the best as ace rookie Sam Cantada is set for further testing to determine the severity of her injury.
Cantada hurt her shin in NU’s five-set loss to the UP Fighting Maroons in UAAP Season 88 on Saturday, Feb. 28.
In the third set, Cantada collided with libero IC Cepada as they both went for the ball after a Casiey Dongallo spike.
Cantada had to be assisted back to the NU bench and did not return to finish the game.
After the match, Cantada shared what transpired during the incident, which occurred as the Fighting Maroons began to rally on the way to an eventual reverse sweep.
"Kanina po kasi na nasipa po yung shin ko ni ate Icy, pero ano naman po, okay naman po. Pagbalik naman po dito sa bench, inaala naman ako [ng physical therapist namin],” Cantada told the media.
"Tapos bukas po, siguro po mag-rehab po muna ako, and magpapa-MRI po ako."
Spirit is willing
Despite Cantada's pain, the 18-year-old was adamant to return to the game, especially as the Lady Bulldogs struggled to stop UP's rampaging comeback.
Left o watch from the sidelines, Cantada had to temper her own feelings in order to look out for her long-term health.
"Siguro po siyempre, nandun po yung eagerness po kasi. Pero at the same time, pumapasok din sa utak ko na may tinuturo po sa akin si Lord, na baka time ni Den [Daylisan], nag-show up din naman si Den, tinapangan din naman ni Den,” she said.
"So yun lang po, nag-positive lang din naman kahit siyempre po kinakabahan kung ano yung result. Pero okay naman po, positive pa rin naman po,” Cantada continued.
NU faces a quick turnaround, returning to action on Wednesday, March 4, against the UE Lady Warriors at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.