Sam Cantada did not see action for NU against UE in the first round of UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball, with the Lady Bulldogs taking the cautious approach for their injured ace rookie.
Sam Cantada is focused on her recovery from a shin injury, missing NU Lady Bulldogs' three-set win over the UE Lady Warriors in UAAP Season 88 on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Cantada was hurt during their previous match against UP, exiting in the third set following an inadvertent collision with teammate IC Cepada.
[RELATED: NU bounces back, sweeps UE in UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball]
While she was advised to sit out during their clash vs the Lady Warriors, Cantada said she is already feeling okay and is no longer in pain.
"Okay naman po ako. Inaantay lang yung result... Wala naman need [gawin], basta okay lang [ako]. Hindi na need i-MRI," Cantada said.
"Wala po [pain],” she added.
As Cantada recovers, the Lady Bulldogs found a viable option to fill in the gaps with second-year player Celine Marsh.
In what was her biggest performance of the season, Marsh unleashed 11 points and 12 excellent digs to play a key role to NU's bounce back win.
Cantada herself beamed with pride after her teammates were able to hold down the fort in her absence.
"Syempre po, sobrang proud ako kasi nakakakuha lahat [sa team] ng kumpiyansa po,” she said.
[RELATED: UAAP: Celine Marsh gets well-deserved shot as NU overwhelms UE]
"Mag-rest daw muna ako kasi marami pa naman games, and mas mabibigat din yung mga games namin, kaya rest na lang daw,” Cantana added on her outlook for the rest of the season.
NU returns to action on Sunday, March 8, against the Ateneo Blue Eagles 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.