Adamson University entered the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament with a clear plan: set achievable goals and build momentum for a Final Four push, even if things didn’t go perfectly.
Right now, the Lady Falcons find themselves in third place, tied at 4–3 with Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas, but holding the advantage by virtue of a superior set ratio.
It’s not the exact outcome they had envisioned, but it’s a position they can use as a springboard into the second round.
Their latest win — a straight-sets victory over the University of the Philippines — marked Adamson’s best start under coach JP Yude and their best first-round showing since Season 85 under Jerry Yee.
For Lady Falcons captain Shaira Nitura, the team’s current standing is “Plan B,” but one they’re ready to embrace.
“I mean, of course, we have our goals, which is this one. Ito yung Plan B namin: to be in a 4–3 finish. Kasi gino-goal sana namin was 5–2, pero yun nga, bumagsak kami sa 4–3 and yun yung kinaya ng team. So this is a good start for us coming into the second round,” said Nitura, who contributed 14 points off 12 attacks, a block, and an ace.
“It’s not easy, but it’s easier, much easier for us to get into the Final Four coming into this win.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Breaking into the Final Four is never simple, requiring consistent wins — a challenge Adamson hasn’t conquered since Season 85.
With every match, the drive to end that drought intensifies.
While Nitura often commands headlines, it was Nigerian student-athlete Frances Mordi who anchored the Lady Falcons in this game. Mordi delivered a team-high 18 points on 17 spikes and a block, a breakout performance Nitura hailed as a crucial boost for the squad.
“Since then naman, yun na yung goal namin sa team: to be one and to be a team na lahat talaga may contribution. And now it’s happening because of, siyempre, sa will ni God and sa tulong din Niya,” said the national team player.
“At the same time, the efforts na binigay nung buong team, coaching staff, and my teammates. Yung emotional din talaga, nakapit sa isa’t isa. Nagtitiwala lang sa program at sa isa’t isa — sa mga teammate sa amin.”
Ultimately, the Lady Falcons’ aim remains clear: return to the Final Four. The journey is challenging, but Adamson remains focused on the outcome.
“In my mind naman, and I think that’s what we think as a team, na it’s God’s will talaga. We just keep doing our part, just doing yung hard work, yung work na kailangan namin,” said Nitura.
“And whatever the result of the efforts we are making, it’s God’s will na talaga kung ano yung ibibigay Niya sa amin. And we just have to accept and respond well to what is given.”
#WATCH: OUR GOAL IS TO BE ONE 🐦⬛
Shaina Nitura is proud to see Adamson finally develop as a team heading into the second round 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/IPqQg2rJUG
📹 @lorenzodelc /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/t8Yop2I5lM
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 15, 2026
