Shaina Nitura capped her stellar rookie campaign on a high note, powering Adamson University to a 25-13, 25-21, 25-18 sweep of University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Sunday afternoon, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Nitura concluded her historic UAAP rookie season with a total of 371 points — 333 attacks, 25 blocks, and 13 aces — driven by six 30-point performances across 14 matches in Season 87. The pride of Cainta, Rizal, set new records for the UAAP single-season scoring, rookie scoring, single-game scoring, and most 30-point games in a single season.
Beyond her individual statistics, Nitura’s 22-point performance — 18 attacks, nine excellent digs, and six excellent receptions — helped the Lady Falcons close out Season 87 with their third win in four outings.
These victories included stunning upsets over defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs and fourth-ranked FEU Lady Tamaraws. Adamson finished the eliminations with a 6-8 record, a three-win improvement from their 3-11 slate in Season 86.
With identical 6-8 records, the Lady Falcons and the Fighting Maroons are tied for the fifth and sixth spots, but Adamson holds the higher ranking due to this straight-sets win.
Adamson also avenged its heartbreaking first-round loss to UP, where Nitura fired off 38 points to break the UAAP Women’s Volleyball single-game scoring record, previously held by Alyssa Valdez and Sisi Rondina.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Ang pinaka-highlight ko this year is yung panalo namin ngayon kasi talagang teamwork yung nangyari kanina. Talagang lahat kami, kapag hindi gumagana yung isa, gumagana yung isa. Thankful kami kasi hindi ito yung last, but this is a beginning for a new season na agad,” Nitura said.
In the third set, a block by American middle blocker Kassy Doering gave UP a brief 16-15 lead. However, Adamson surged back with a dominant 5-0 run — sparked by three Fighting Maroons errors and two attacks from Mayang Nuique — to build a four-point cushion at 20-16.
That proved to be enough breathing room for the Lady Falcons, who sealed the match with a series of errors and a dropball from Nitura.
After a dominant first set, where the Lady Falcons led by as much as 12 points, Adamson cruised to a 15-4 start in the second frame. However, UP rallied back with eight straight points to close the gap to three at 15-12.
Despite the Fighting Maroons’ resurgence, Adamson’s strong start proved insurmountable, as a backrow hit and a combination play from Nitura gave the Lady Falcons a two-set advantage.
“We’re grateful na for next year, may ganon kami na nakukuhaan na grassroots na nagccontinue ng samahan nila. May nawala na isa, pero I know naman na may purpose si Lord sa mga nawawala at dumadating. I know naman na this journey, hindi lang hanggang ngayon ito,” Lady Falcons head coach JP Yude said.
Nuique provided ample support to Nitura with 13 points on 13-of-22 attack efficiency, six excellent digs, while Nigerian wing spiker Frances Mordi contributed 11 points and six excellent receptions. Rookie setter Sagaysay capped off her season with 17 excellent sets and four points.
While UP absorbed two straight losses to close out the tournament, the Fighting Maroons achieved their best finish in the UAAP Women’s Volleyball campaign since Season 81 in 2019. They defeated three Final Four-bound teams in the NU Lady Bulldogs, FEU Lady Tamaraws, and DLSU Lady Spikers.
It was a remarkable turnaround for the Fighting Maroons, who had won just two matches in the past two seasons.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
No player from UP finished in double figures. Rookie hitter Kianne Olango registered seven points and 10 excellent digs, while Irah Jaboneta and Doering each tallied five points in the losing effort.
While Doering is set to leave the program after completing her one-and-done campaign, and Niña Ytang’s return is uncertain, the future remains bright for the Fighting Maroons. Incoming players Casiey Dongallo, Jelai Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, Shamel Fernandez, and Jenalyn Umayam — all former UE Lady Warriors — will join the team.
