For much of Nigerian wing spiker Frances Mordi’s journey since last year, her path has been defined by patience, constant corrections, and the steady encouragement of everyone at Adamson University.
On Saturday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, that patience finally paid off. The hard work she had put in was slowly — but surely — beginning to bear fruit, and it came against a perennial contender.
Team captain Shaina Nitura and head coach JP Yude had nothing but praise for Mordi, who erupted for 20 points on 18-of-30 attacks and added 10 excellent receptions in Adamson’s straight-set stunner over title favorite University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Nitura, however, was the first to admit that Mordi’s rise was never a surprise — it was only a matter of time.
“Since the very start na tumungtong ako sa college, I never doubted sa kung anong kaya ibuga ni Frances. I always encourage her and iniintindi ko yung isa’t isa because that’s what teammates do and family does — to stand up and lift up each other,” Nitura said after the game.
“Nakita ko kung ano yung paghihirap niya at yung emotion niya kapag training. Tiniyagaan lang namin at pati siya. It was easy to give up, but she did not do it. Ito yung bunga ng ginagawa niya. I thank God for her.”
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Meanwhile, Yude credited Mordi’s performance to the relentless work ethic of a player determined to overcome the frustrations of keeping up with a highly competitive UAAP women’s volleyball field.
The concurrent Baby Falcons head coach had a front-row seat to Mordi’s struggles, but Adamson’s entire program ensured she never faced those challenges alone.
“I am very glad dahil always, she responds every time pag tinuturuan siya at na-frustrate siya. Ito na yung lumalabas sa trinatrabaho niya pag sinasabihan siya, cinocorrect siya every time. Ito yung pag-respond nang tama,” Yude explained.
“Knowing Frances, every time na mag-e-error siya, nafru-frustrate siya, pero nandoon kami to guide her and continue to encourage her na it’s okay and it’s normal to have mistakes.”
With a breakout performance under her belt, Mordi acknowledged that she cannot afford to become complacent — especially with unbeaten De La Salle University Lady Spikers next on Adamson’s schedule this Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
For the St. Emma Comprehensive College product, consistency will now be the key as she will see her true potential tested against the likes of Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, Shane Reterta, and Amie Provido.
“I’ll just stay consistent with my game. I’ll stay focused more and trust my teammates more. I think that’s all I can do,” Mordi said.
“We’ve been training for this and working hard for this. Thanks to the coaches and to my captain for the encouragement all through the pressure and everything.”
#WATCH: WE’VE BEEN WORKING HARD FOR THIS 🐦
Frances Mordi is doing everything she can to lift Adamson to the #UAAPSeason88 Final Four as she knows the hard work her teammates have put in 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/q8vR0A5g0v
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/Ij9PdqUVlZ
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 7, 2026
