IN a projected duel between a rookie scorer and a neophyte playmaker, it was National U’s go-to hitter who came out ahead.
Sam Cantada is set to be hailed as UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball Rookie of the Year after piling up 66.786 statistical points (SPs), living up to the hype in delivering the goods right away for the Lady Bulldogs.
READ: Shaina Nitura set for coronation as UAAP Season 88 MVP
Cantada helped propel the blue-and-gold to the No. 2 seed at the end of the elimination round with 197 total points built on 157 attacks, 23 aces, and 17 blocks, ultimately running away with top rookie honors.
She comfortably outpaced Eshana Nunag, who tallied 55.385 SPs, even as the La Salle playmaker was thought to be neck-and-neck with the NU scorer in the Rookie of the Year Race.
Nunag also wound up runner-up in the best setter competition with 186 ranking points (RPs), trailing Fhei Sagaysay of Adamson who topped the list with 247 RPs.
Different story
The big picture, however, shows something else come the playoffs.
Nunag and the Lady Spikers hold the advantage after completing a 14-game elims sweep, outright sending them to the championship round.
For Cantada to break through to her first finals appearance, on the other hand, the Lady Bulldogs must first get past the Lady Falcons or whoever emerges from the No. 4 playoff between longtime rivals University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University.
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