For Shaina Nitura, the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball MVP award isn’t a finishing line but instead a preview of what Adamson University can still become.
Fresh off a breakthrough campaign that saw her become the first player in Adamson history to win the collegiate women’s volleyball Most Valuable Player award, Nitura emerged as the undisputed face of the Lady Falcons’ resurgence.
But even amid the individual milestones — including Fhei Sagaysay’s Best Setter recognition — Nitura was quick to shift the spotlight away from personal accolades and back to the team’s larger mission.
For her, the awards are not an endpoint, but evidence that Adamson is steadily moving toward something bigger: a genuine shot at its first UAAP women’s volleyball championship.
Having led the Lady Falcons to their first Final Four appearance since Season 85 (2023), Nitura views the MVP trophy as a reminder of what remains within reach.
“Actually, these awards only mean na capable kami makapasok ng Finals kasi meron kaming Fhei at meron kaming other players na pwede mag-push through it sa upcoming seasons na meron kami with the team,” the 21-year-old outside hitter said after receiving the Season 88 MVP and Best Outside Hitter plum before Game 2 of the Finals Saturday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
“Again, grateful na binigay ni God ito sa akin, and again, I am gonna be happy and grateful. Pero hindi naman doon titigil yung career ko, yung career namin, and yung pagpu-push namin to get into the Finals.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The perspective reflects an athlete who has grown through every level of competition: starting from a bronze-medal finish in her debut high school season in Season 85, to steering Adamson to its first UAAP girls’ volleyball title in Season 86, and now anchoring a breakthrough collegiate Final Four run in Season 88.
Still, Nitura is the first to acknowledge that success at this level requires more than talent or trophies. For Adamson to sustain its rise, she believes the foundation must be rooted in culture — one that empowers younger players while strengthening leadership within the core.
Together with Sagaysay, she has embraced that responsibility under head coach JP Yude, prioritizing both performance and the environment they are building for the next wave of Lady Falcons.
“Same rin, yung relationship and yung environment na nabibigay namin sa bawat player na meron kami, especially sa amin. Kasi alam namin kung gaano kahirap na magkaroon ng negative environment, lalo na pag growing yung isang player,” Nitura said.
“We’re gonna be seniors sooner or later, kaya ’yon yung pinaka-fo-focusan namin na yung mga darating na players sa amin, talagang paghahalagahan namin. Hindi lang yung coaching staff ang magbibigay ng pahalaga sa kanila, kumbaga, kami rin bilang players. Players nila, captain nila, and bilang leader, ibibigay namin yung positive environment but still competitive.”
