Romwel Anzures

National University star Sam Cantada (#12) against University of the Philippines in UAAP Season 88. UAAP Media.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773827328755UAAP88 WVB - Sam Cantada-8105.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>National University star Sam Cantada (#12) against University of the Philippines in UAAP Season 88. UAAP Media.</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — Sam Cantada flaunted her prowess to steer National University to a bounce-back win in UAAP Season 88, firing a career-high 32 points in a five-set victory over the University of the Philippines.The Lady Bulldogs showed championship poise, outlasting the Fighting Maroons, 24-26, 25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 15-8, in their Wednesday afternoon clash at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.This was National U&#x27;s sixth win in eight games, good for solo second place in the team standings, and they have Cantada to thank for it, as she also tallied 18 receptions and 13 digs on top of her 27 attacks, three blocks, and two aces.However, Cantada downplayed the feat — NU&#x27;s highest scoring output since Alyssa Solomon&#x27;s 34 points against De La Salle University in Game 2 of the Season 85 Finals in 2023 — saying that it was her teammates who made it possible.&quot;Collective effort naman po yung nangyari,&quot; she said. &quot;Hindi lang po ako yun, cine-credit ko lang po yun sa teammates ko.&quot;Her fellow Lady Bulldogs indeed stepped up, with Arah Panique pouring in 19 points on 15 kills and four blocks, while Abe Pono dished out 21 excellent sets and added two vital service aces to finish with five points.Four of Pono&#x27;s five points came in the decider — one from a kill, one from a block, and two from aces which was the team&#x27;s 23rd point and the match-clinching serve.On the other hand, it was State U&#x27;s fourth straight loss and fifth in its last six games. The Fighting Maroons dropped to 3–5 after eight matches.Jelai Gajero led UP with 22 points, 14 digs, and six receptions, while Kianne Olango finished with 20 markers and nine digs. Unfortunately, these were not enough to cover the absences of Joan Monares, who is dealing with a back injury, and Casiey Dongallo, who is out for the year with an ACL injury.

Sam Cantada flaunted her prowess to steer National University to a bounceback win in #UAAPSeason88, firing a career-high 32 points in a five-set victory over University of the Philippines.

Sam Cantada flaunted her prowess to steer National University to a bounceback win in #UAAPSeason88, firing a career-high 32 points in a five-set victory over University of the Philippines.

UAAP: Behind Cantada's career-high, NU gets back at UP in 5-set marathon

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UAAP: Behind Cantada's career-high, NU gets back at UP in 5-set marathon

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 18, 2026 05:52 PM PHT

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Updated March 18, 2026 07:18 PM PHT

Read More:

Volleyball

UAAP

ABSSports

UAAP Season 88

UAAP Volleyball

NU Lady Bulldogs

UP Fighting Maroons

Sam Cantada

Jelai Gajero

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