Adamson University made history by clinching its first-ever UAAP High School Girls’ Volleyball championship. However, the journey was not as smooth as its immaculate 14-0 run might suggest.
Nevertheless, winning the title was much sweeter through these challenges.
And for that, Shaina Nitura was proud to have said they had done what they were there for this season.
“Thankful po ako kay God dahil tulad nga ng sinabi ko before, wala ang lahat ng ‘to ‘kung wala si God sa amin. Wala lahat ng ‘to kungdi dahil sa Kanya,” the graduating Finals MVP said.
“We were made for this, we were born for this, kaya Niya kami dinala dito. At nandito kami para ipakita sa buong mundo at sa mga ibang kabataan na God is true. Hindi man natin Siya nakikita na gumagalaw pero He’s there. He’s working in our lives,” she added.
Every aspect of the Baby Falcons’ game – from serve to receive, set, spike, dig, and counter-attack – faced its share of struggles.
These challenges included training difficulties or absences due to personal problems, whether physical, emotional, or otherwise. Some issues were so heavy that they led some of the young girls to contemplate quitting.
However, the emotional support from every team member and their faith in each other and God proved sufficient to keep the ship afloat.
Nitura, the team captain, shared, “No words can explain what challenges we had po that time. Pero ang masasabi ko lang, all the challenges na pinaharap sa ‘min ni Lord during the preparation is meant for today.
“Nalagpasan niyo na ‘yan eh. Hindi Ko naman ibibigay ‘yan ng hindi niyo nalagpasan before. Hindi Ko ibibigay ‘tong sitwasyon na ‘to na hindi niyo kaya. Everything na pinakita Niya sa ‘min, every challenge na pinakita sa ‘min, I’m grateful dahil ‘yun ‘yung nagpatibay sa ‘min as a team, as a whole, as a family,” the sister of EAC transferee Cyrus continued.
“At kung hindi dahil sa challenges na ‘yon, I don’t think aabot kami sa championship.”
Despite the trials, the Baby Falcons can now proudly call themselves champions in the UAAP.
In light of this achievement, the Season 86 Season MVP and two-time Best Outside Hitter expressed her gratitude for her team.
“Thankful ako na hindi sila bumitaw sa lahat ng challenges na binigay sa kanila. Big challenges na sobrang tapang nila to face that. Akala nila hindi sila matapang, akala nila hindi sila nag-momove forward.
“In fact, they were moving forward. We were moving forward together.”
And now the question is, where will Nitura move forward next? For now, she and her fellow seniors will relish their hard-earned championship first.