Sam Cantada’s Journey Started by Chance—Now It’s Defined by Growth

Now part of the NU Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 88, Sam Cantada has already made a name for herself in Philippine volleyball. But her journey didn’t begin with recognition—it started quietly, almost accidentally, long before she understood what the sport would eventually demand from her.

“I started playing volleyball when I was in grade 3. Tapos, hindi po alam talaga ni Mama na magvo-volleyball ako. Parang nalaman ko po kasi na may liga po sa school. Parang district meet po yun. Tapos na-late lang po ako nung uwi nun. Tapos sabi ni Mama, saan daw po ako galing? Tapos sabi ko po, nag-try out po ako nun.”

At that point, it wasn’t serious. It wasn’t something she was shaping her future around—it was simply something she tried.

“Tapos, simula nun parang hindi ko pa siya siniseryoso. Tapos hanggang sa nagustuhan ko siya, Tapos grade 5 to grade 6, doon na pa ako nagseryoso. Naglaro na po ako ng provincial tsaka stcaa.”

From there, the game slowly became part of her routine, then part of her identity.

“Tapos after nun, grade 7 to 10 ako sa ICA na po. Tapos doon din po na-build yung skills ko din, ganyan.”

It wasn’t one defining moment, but a series of small decisions that slowly added up—until volleyball became something more than just a hobby.

From Playing to Purpose

“Tapos, 11 to 12, doon na po nag-Adamson na po ako, na-experience pa na po yung Shakey’s and UAAP yun. Tapos after naman nun, yun na po, naglaro na ako ng Palarong Pambansa. Tapos, nag-decide po ako na lumipat sa NU.”

That progression—from school leagues to bigger stages—didn’t happen overnight. It was built over years of repetition, exposure, and gradual realization that this wasn’t just something she enjoyed—it was something she could actually pursue.

But even that interest wasn’t entirely her own at the start. It came from somewhere familiar.

“Sa family ko rin po kasi. Kay mama po, sa tita ko. So nasa genes na rin po talaga namin yung sports.”

But knowing where it comes from doesn’t always make it easier to grow into. Because once the game becomes serious, the challenges change too.

Understanding the Game Beyond Skill

At first, she didn’t really feel them.

“Ah, siguro yung time naman na nagseryoso ako sa sport, parang wala pa akong masyadong iniisip na yung mga struggles ko, parang hindi pa namumulat sa akin.”

That early stage, when everything still feels manageable, is something most athletes experience. But eventually, the game demands more awareness, more control, more accountability.

“Noong nalaman ko lang din yung purpose ko and noong nag-adamson na po ako. Tapos doon na po, like, doon na lumalabas yung mga testing sa akin, yung mga challenges na kailangan ko pala i-overcome.”

The shift from playing to understanding is where real growth begins. And for Cantada, that growth wasn’t just physical. It was internal.

“Siguro yung kung paano ako mag-handle ng emotions inside the court. Tapos kung paano ako i-focus yung sarili ko rin.”

Because in volleyball, skill alone isn’t enough. The ability to stay composed, to reset, to control your emotions mid-game, are the things that separate players who perform from those who struggle to keep up.

Learning to Handle the Pressure

Now, as part of the National University Lady Bulldogs, she finds herself in a different kind of position. Not just a player, but someone people are already watching closely.

“Para sa akin naman po, may kanya-kanya naman po kami ng skills. So, yun lang po. Hindi ko po siya masyado iniisip.”

It’s a simple answer—but it says a lot. Because expectations are there, whether she acknowledges them or not.

“I mean, nandyan din naman po talaga yung pressure. Lalo na po, nasa first six din ako. Ganyan. Pero kailangan ko lang din talaga i-embrace yung pressure and matutunan yung mga challenges talaga na binibigay.”

There’s no denying it. Being part of the first six, being seen as someone who can contribute immediately—that comes with weight. But instead of resisting it, she leans into it.

And that’s where her mindset becomes clearer—not about proving something, but about understanding what comes with where she is now.

One Game at a Time

Even in moments when things don’t go their way, that perspective doesn’t shift.

Following a recent five-set loss to DLSU, NU now shifts its focus to its next match against UST.

“Ngayon po siyempre, natalo po kami. Pero syempre ang mindset na rin po talaga namin is hindi pa rin talaga tapos. Kailangan namin mag-focus sa next game.”

Because for Cantada, the game doesn’t end in a single result. It doesn’t stop at one loss or one performance. It continues—through adjustments, through preparation, through the decision to keep going.

And maybe that’s what defines where she is right now.

Not just someone who started young.
Not just someone who rose through the system.

But someone still learning how to carry everything that comes with it—
one game, one moment, one mindset at a time.