AFTER being sidelined for a game due to shin splints, Sam Cantada graced the UAAP taraflex once again against Ateneo.
In just two sets of action on Sunday, Cantada finished with six points all on attacks, as the National U cruised to a 25-18, 25-18, 25-15 win.
READ: NU blasts Ateneo ahead of showdown with La Salle
“As of now po, sa laro ko ngayon, grateful po ako dahil nakabalik po ako,” she said after her return. “And nakatulong din po ako sa team ngayong game."
And though the stellar rookie only saw limited minutes, Cantada was grateful to have gotten back into her groove even by a bit on the court.
That will come in handy, no doubt, as their next game is against modern-day rival La Salle, which is currently undefeated at 5-0.
“Nakakuha po ulit ako ng kumpyansa na madadala ko sa next game po namin, which is yung sa La Salle. Pero again, babalik po ulit kami ng training, magti-training po ulit,” she said.
Same old, Sam old
Aside from getting Cantada back to a hundred percent, the NU coaching staff is also hard at work trying to improve another aspect of her game.
Before going down due to injury, the neophyte spiker struggled during her past two games, where Far Eastern University then the University of the Philippines managed to suppress her play for an extended stretch.
To avoid any repeats of Cantada being contained again, especially in their next game against the Lady Spikers, they’re working on expanding her scoring arsenal.
“Pagbalik po sa training, nung nakakatalon na po ako, pinapa-try po sa akin ang mga coaches na need ko mag-try ng new na variation. So malaking bagay itong game po na ito,” she said.
With Cantada working towards returning to form, and even improving upon it, the Lady Bulldogs will surely be a stronger force to be reckoned with in the weeks to come.
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