Shaina Nitura and Adamson University continued their dominance over National University-Nazareth School, securing a 25-19, 25-17, 25-17 sweep to advance to the final of the 2024 Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball Invitational League on Thursday at Paco Arena.
UAAP Season 86 Girls’ Volleyball MVP Nitura fired 17 points in her final meeting against the Lady Bullpups, a team they denied a rare UAAP event sweep last February.
“Hindi ko pinapalaki yung ulo niya,” said Baby Falcons head coach JP Yude. “I always work doon sa mga kung ano pa yung kakulangan nya so that ma-maintain nya yung consistency na ginagawa. Also to take care sa paglead sa mga bata, sa mga teammate nya sa loob.”
It was a surprisingly quick win for Adamson as the match lasted only 76 minutes.
“Una, sinabihan ko sila na magtiwala sa sarili nila and then continue na maging agressive all the time so that yung laro nila, mas maenjoy nila yung ginagawa nila,” added Yude, a former Soaring Falcon.
Samantha Catanda supported Nitura with 13 points, including 11 attacks and two aces.
MG del Moral and Abby Segui chipped in seven and six points, respectively, while Fel Sagaysay once again had a masterful playmaking outing.
Diza Berayo paced NUNS with seven points as Celine Marsh was held to just four points.
In the final, slated for Sunday at their home court, Adamson will take on Bacolod Tay Tung, which survived Kings’ Montessori School in the third set before eking out a 25-18, 25-14, 25-23 victory.
Rhose Almendralejo sparked the Thunderbolts’ comeback from five points down early in the third frame and delivered the much-needed hits to bring last year’s third-place team into the winner-take-all match.
The middle blocker scored eight of her 14 points in the third set, including the game-winning kill for the Bacolod-based squad, the only remaining podium finisher from the inaugural edition.
Jothea Ramos and Ana Hermosura added 11 points each for the Thunderbolts.
Shekaina Lleses had nine points while her twin, Shehanna Lleses, chipped in seven points for Kings’ Montessori.
