SAM Cantada admitted that the sky-high expectations surrounding her much-anticipated UAAP seniors debut initially got the better of her.
The highly-touted rookie revealed that the buzz, whether hype or criticism, affected her buildup to joining National U's three-peat campaign in Season 88.
Cantada went through a baptism of fire on Sunday, and came out shining like a star with 21 points and 14 receptions in the Lady Bulldogs’ four-set win over University of Santo Tomas, while also dealing with heckling from the opposing crowd.
READ: Rookie Cantada puts NU on her shoulders in four-set win over UST
“Wala na po talaga akong pinapakinggan. Ang daming nag-boo sa gilid kanina para ma-pressure ako,” she told reporters after the game.
“Sabi ko lang talaga, ‘Lord, binigay mo ‘to sa’kin. Bigyan mo 'ko ng lakas para ma-overcome ‘to.’”
Good thing then that the rookie outside hitter had been dealing with just as much pressure on social media, where she had experienced overwhelming support on one side and criticism on the other.
And for Cantada, adjusting to that constant pressure has become more of a mental battle than anything else.
“Ang dami po kasing [nagha-hype sa’kin] sa social media. Ang dami ko pong nakikita na ganun. Tine-test rin po siguro ako na ‘wag akong tataliwas sa kung ano ‘yung goal namin. Dapat du’n lang ako at ‘wag lalaki ulo ko,” she said.
“Kaya ngayon, nakukuha ko na po ulit ‘yung kumpyansa ko at nasa path na po ako na gusto ng team.”
Sam's support system
Cantada added that her teammates have played a key role in helping her toughen up mentally, pushing her to her limits in training to better prepare her for the challenges of the season.
“Pinu-push nila ako to the point na naiiyak na po ako, pero tine-take ko naman ‘yun for growth dahil alam kong kailangan po ako sa team,” she said.
“May mga pagsubok man, pero kailangang hindi ko siya palagpasin na wala akong ginagawa. Tao lang naman po ako, minsan pumpalya po ako sa mga ganung pagsubok, pero hindi po ako matitigil talaga.”
There’s no doubt in her mind that may it be a championship or otherwise, staying the track as pressure-free as possible will keep them at par with their dynastic predecessors.
“‘Yung iniwan kasing standard nila ate Bella [Belen], sobrang taas talaga. Pero kung nandiyan lang kami para sa isa’t isa, hindi kami mahihirapan,” she said.
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