BELLA Belen has set a benchmark in the UAAP that few, if any, can match.
With seven combined MVP awards and eight championships across the high school and collegiate ranks, the National U star left behind a golden legacy that has helped redefine the Lady Bulldogs’ dominance.
Yet at the close of her fabled 11-year journey in Jhocson, Belen is not one to see herself as the program’s lasting standard.
In fact, she already sees a worthy successor.
For Belen, Sam Cantada possesses the tools to surpass even her seemingly indomitable success.
The 18-year-old rising star carved out an impressive resume in the juniors ranks and with the youth national team on the world stage, and now carries that promise into her collegiate career with NU.
READ: Cantada stays humble after smashing debut for National U
Following Cantada’s controversial transfer to the Lady Bulldogs, Belen expressed confidence that the young hitter may very well do her better.
“Mas mataas yung pwedeng maabot ni Sam ngayon sa rookie year niya and sa darating pang mga season,” Belen told SPIN.ph.
Despite her youthful demeanor, Belen described Cantada as a fierce competitor capable of carving her own path.
“Nakilala ko si Sam as a palaban na player. Sweet-sweet lang siya magtingnan, pero talagang palaban siyang bata,” she said.
“Mabait ‘yan si Sam. Kumbaga, open siya lagi sa mga feedback ng mga teammates, coaches, at nagtatanong din siya talaga. Malayong-malayo ‘yung mararating ni Sam.”
Rookie ordeals
Cantada has been open about the mental challenges she faces as a young player entering the collegiate ranks, especially after the circumstances surrounding her departure from Adamson.
Belen, however, believes strong guidance within the team can ease the transition, drawing from her own experience during her historic rookie-MVP campaign in Season 84.
“Nu’ng rookie year ko, na-guide ako nang maayos ng mga ates ko, sila ate Jen [Nierva], ate Princess [Robles], sila ate Joyme [Cagande], ate Ivy [Lacsina],” she said.
“Ginuide nila ako sa kung ano ‘yung pinagkaiba ng college sa UAAP compared sa high school na mas pressured talaga. Pero sa pag-guide nila sa akin, mas kumalma ako, mas na-lessen ‘yung pressure sa sarili ko. Ang kinailangan ko na lang laging gawin is mag-perform at gawin kung ano ‘yung pwede kong i-contribute sa team.”
Belen is convinced that a similar, or even greater, path lies ahead for Cantada.
“Si Sam, kayang-kaya niya naman ‘yan. Hindi naman halata sa kanya na nape-pressure siya,” she said.
“Nakita ko rin ‘yung laro niya and I’m very proud kay Sam and ‘yung team this season.”
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