SUPER rookie Shaina Nitura vows a stronger sophomore season — not only for herself but for the entire Adamson University Lady Falcons — after her rise as the new single-season record holder for total points in UAAP women’s volleyball history went for naught with an early exit.
Ms. Nitura before the break erupted for 37 points in Adamson’s 14-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-22 win over Far Eastern University to jack up her UAAP Season 87 totals to 314 points, surpassing the 312-point season record of Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez in 2015 (Season 77).
She did it with still two games to go in their campaign albeit already out of contention as University of Santo Tomas’ eighth win over University of the East, 25-19, 25-16, 25-15, also before the UAAP pause in observance of the Holy Week, eliminated the Lady Falcons (5-7) in the process.
But all is not lost for Ms. Nitura.
“I’m grateful for the growth from all the adversities we went through. It will be a huge help for us in the coming seasons,” said Ms. Nitura, trying to see a silver lining in a spoiled historic UAAP debut.
“We may not be advancing to the Final Four but we have gained so much lessons from this season.”
Ms. Nitura’s unprecedented run included three straight and five 30-point performances overall highlighted by the UAAP rookie record of 33 points against Ateneo de Manila University and the UAAP single-game record of 38 points against the University of the Philippines.
From here on, expect Ms. Nitura to go for a graceful and roaring exit to further extend her record in the final two games against Final Four hopefuls De La Salle University (8-4) and UP (6-6).
And this time, she’s out to become the spoiler herself.
“We will use this season as a foundation to the next one. I’m still grateful. No promises, but hope is there. Hope is up,” beamed Ms. Nitura, the UAAP juniors MVP who gave Adamson its first girls’ volleyball title in the UAAP Season 86 with a 14-0 sweep before her collegiate transition.
The UAAP volleyball resumes on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena featuring crucial duels between Santo Tomas and UP as well as La Salle and Adamson in a heated Final Four race. Reigning champion National University (11-2) is the only and first squad so far to secure a semis seat and a twice-to-beat incentive. — John Bryan Ulanday