With their season on the brink, Shaina Nitura lit the fire.
The sensational rookie unleashed a 32-point masterclass to lead Adamson University in a stunning four-set upset over the shorthanded National University Lady Bulldogs, 25-23, 15-25, 28-26, 25-22, keeping the Lady Falcons’ Final Four dreams alive in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It was Nitura’s second straight 30-point game and fourth of the season, following a 36-point effort in a five-set loss to the University of Santo Tomas last Wednesday.
The 20-year-old bounced back in style after being limited to a season-low 13 points in their first-round match-up against NU.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“We praise and thank God for the win kasi kapag will ni Lord no one can stop. I’m very proud sa mga bata ngayon kasi una pa lang pagsalang pa lang nila unang point pa lang alam ko na na maglalaro sila na gusto nilang manalo sa game na ito,” said Lady Falcons head coach JP Yude after the two-hour and 22-minute battle.
The victory snapped Adamson’s eight-match losing streak against NU, marking its first win over the powerhouse squad since March 3, 2019 — a straight-sets decision in the first round of Season 81.
It also halted the Lady Falcons’ two-game skid, improving their record to 4-7 and tying Ateneo de Manila University for sixth place. Both teams sit three games behind the fourth-seeded UST, with three games left in their respective schedules.
And while Nitura was undoubtedly the engine of Adamson’s offense, this time, she wasn’t doing it alone.
In a tightly-contested third set, Nitura took matters into her own hands, hammering a crosscourt kill followed by a backrow attack to clinch the frame, 28-26, and give Adamson a 2-1 advantage.
Come the fourth, with NU zoning in on Nitura, rookie setter Fhei Sagaysay made the right reads and turned to Adamson’s other weapons.
Tied at 20, Jen Villegas capitalized on an over-received ball to reclaim the lead. Eloi Dote followed with a huge block on Bella Belen, and Frances Mordi capped a three-point spurt to make it 23-20.
Belen tried to rally NU with a hit, but Erin Pangilinan’s service error handed Adamson match point at 24-21. Although the two-time MVP scored again, Mordi sealed the deal with a spike through NU’s blockers — completing the biggest upset of the season and keeping Adamson alive in the Final Four race.
“Siyempre pampa-boost ng confidence ng team na maniwala pa sa sarili namin pare-pareho. Hindi namin dapat maliitin yung sarili namin kasi alam namin na may ibubuga kami every game. And God’s grace talaga na nanalo kami kasi nung last games namin, medyo pababa na talaga ‘yung kumpyansa namin,” said Nitura, who finished with 30 kills, two blocks, 10 digs, and six receptions.
Mordi provided ample support with nine points, while Mayang Nuique added eight. Adamson also took full advantage of NU’s miscues, scoring off 27 unforced errors.
The Lady Falcons aim to stay in contention when they face Far Eastern University on Saturday, again at the Big Dome.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, NU — already Final Four-bound — fell to 9-2, absorbing its second loss in three games following a previously unbeaten stretch. Its first loss came against the University of the Philippines.
Belen led five NU players in double figures with 19 points, 21 excellent receptions, and nine digs. Erin Alinsug added 16 points, while Chams Maaya chipped in 12 despite sitting out the opening set.
Both Pangilinan and Arah Panique — who started in place of the injured Alyssa Solomon — finished with 10.
The 6-foot-2 Solomon, who exploded for 30 points in their previous win over FEU, sat out due to a mild left ankle sprain.
NU will try to bounce back on Wednesday against the winless University of the East at the Philsports Arena.
