Shaina Nitura refuses to let history go to waste.
The rookie phenom from Adamson University shattered the UAAP Women’s Volleyball single-season scoring record with a jaw-dropping 37-point explosion.
And she made sure it mattered by leading the Lady Falcons to a statement four-set victory over the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 14-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Nitura’s historic outing featured 31 attacks, five blocks, and one ace, along with 13 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions. But more than just padding her stats, she fueled Adamson’s second consecutive win to keep their late-season momentum alive.
With that 37-point eruption, Nitura raised her season total to 314 points, surpassing the previous record of 312 points set by Alyssa Valdez in Season 77 back in 2015 — while still having two games left in the eliminations.
It also marked her third straight 30-point performance, following a 36-point outburst in a five-set loss to the University of Santo Tomas and a 32-point effort in Adamson’s stunning upset of NU.
She now holds a record-extending five 30-point games in a single season, rewriting the UAAP history books in just her rookie year.
Despite Adamson’s Final Four hopes officially ending earlier in the day after UST’s win over UE, the Lady Falcons refused to fade into the background. Instead, they rode on Nitura’s relentless fire to improve to a 5-7 slate.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“If I would reflect sa napagdaanan ng team, I’m very happy at very thankful kasi sobrang laking tulong nito for our upcoming seasons. Grateful ako na kahit hindi kami makakapasok ng Final Four, pero yung learnings na makukuha namin, sobrang laking foundation nito for us. Very grateful pero hindi pa tapos,” said Nitura, who continues to rack up accolades — including the UAAP single-game scoring record, rookie scoring record, and now, the single-season scoring record.
With the fourth set tied at 19-all, the Lady Falcons unleashed a timely 3-1 burst — courtesy of a Gerzel Petallo service error, a Mayang Nuique block, and an off-the-block kill by Nitura—to take a 22-20 edge. At that moment, the pride of Cainta, Rizal stood just one point shy of tying Valdez’s record.
But Nitura wasn’t done. Showing ice in her veins, she delivered the final three points for Adamson.
First came a well-timed block on Congolese wing spiker Faida Bakanke. Then back-to-back crosscourt kills to seal the win, reset the record, and clinch Adamson’s fifth win of the season.
“I am very blessed na may mga players, especially si Shaina na binigay sa akin ng Panginoon to handle and to guide. I am very grateful, honored, and blessed to have Shaina and sa mga kasama niya also kasi wala namang Shaina kung wala naman mga kasama niya,” said Lady Falcons head coach JP Yude.
Nigerian import Frances Mordi chipped in 11 points on nine attacks, alongside 23 excellent receptions. Nuique also finished with 11 markers built on eight kills and three blocks, plus eight digs.
Rookie setter Fhei Sagaysay orchestrated the offense with 15 excellent sets, while Juris Manuel helped on defense with 10 excellent receptions.
Following the eight-day Holy Week break, Adamson returns to action on Wednesday, April 23, against De La Salle University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Nitura’s performance not only kept Adamson in stride but also spoiled FEU’s first shot at locking in a Final Four berth. The Lady Tamaraws dropped to solo fourth place with an 8-5 record, leaving their postseason fate uncertain.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
FEU now faces two scenarios: If the University of the Philippines loses to De La Salle tomorrow, the Final Four cast will be set — NU, La Salle, UST, and FEU.
But if UP pulls off a surprise against the Lady Spikers, the Lady Tamaraws must beat La Salle in their final elimination game on Saturday, April 26, also at the Araneta Coliseum, to secure a semifinal spot.
Gerzel Petallo led FEU in the loss with 18 points on 15 attacks, along with 14 excellent receptions and 11 digs. Chenie Tagaod added 12 points on 11 attacks and contributed seven receptions and seven digs.
Meanwhile, team captain Tin Ubaldo had 18 excellent sets in a losing effort.
