Shaina Nitura powered Adamson University to its second straight win in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, while College of Saint Benilde survived a strong fightback by Colegio de San Juan de Letran to also keep a perfect record, Tuesday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center.
Fresh from her SEA V.League stint with Alas Pilipinas, sophomore outside hitter Nitura made an electrifying V-League debut, leading the Lady Falcons to a grueling five-set victory over FEU, 25-22, 25-21, 17-25, 22-25, 15-11.
She scored 28 points on 27 attacks and one block, including five critical points in the deciding set that helped Adamson seize a 23-20 lead before closing out the match.
Adamson head coach JP Yude acknowledged their passing issues, especially in the middle sets, but praised his team’s character and morale.
“Nag-start kami na new and dito naman kami nag-ge-gain ng confidence… Dito talaga nate-test ‘yung character nila,” Yude said.
The Lady Falcons jumped ahead early, but FEU’s Jaz Ellarina and Faida Bakanke challenged with timely blocks and plays, pushing the match to a decisive fifth set.
Frances Mordi contributed 15 points, while Lhouriz Tuddao and MG Del Moral added eight points each for Adamson, now tied for the tournament lead with Benilde.
(C) V-League Images
FEU’s Gerzel Petallo led her squad with 18 points, while Ellarina posted 16 points, including seven from blocks.
Meanwhile, College of Saint Benilde clinched its second consecutive win by defeating the debuting Letran Lady Knights and new Finnish head coach Aleksi Lahteenimaki.
Benilde faced a strong Letran challenge, especially in the third and fourth sets, as the Lady Knights rallied behind Gia Maquilang’s 21-point, 14-dig, and 10-reception triple-double effort.
Letran was eager to secure a winning debut for their new coach after back-to-back NCAA Finals appearances under former mentor Oliver Almadro.
However, Benilde’s middle blocker Zam Nolasco was dominant at the net with 21 points, including eight blocks, delivering a match-winning power tip in the fourth set that sealed the one-hour and 41-minute battle.
Setter Chenae Basarte orchestrated Benilde’s offense with 24 excellent sets that generated 52 attacks.
Rhea Densing scored 13 points, including two blocks, while Kai Lleses contributed eight markers.
