Under the bright lights of the Mall of Asia Arena, all eyes were on Shaina Nitura as she made her much-anticipated collegiate debut for Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
The pressure was immense, the expectations even greater — but after a rocky start, the prized rookie turned her first game into a performance for the history books.
The Season 86 Girls’ Volleyball MVP quickly found her rhythm, thanks to an immediate wake-up call from head coach JP Yude, consultant and NXLED mentor Ettore Guidetti, and her teammates.
Determined to make a statement in her first UAAP women’s division match, Nitura put on a show-stopping performance.
The 19-year-old outside hitter erupted for a sensational 33 points, leading Adamson to a thrilling reverse sweep over Ateneo de Manila University, 21-25, 20-25, 25-12, 25-15, 15-12.
What started as a rough debut turned into a storybook ending for both Nitura and the Lady Falcons.
“Siyempre po nung una talaga, very stiff po. First game jitters as a rookie. Though, mahirap siya kasi kanina, nirelax ko lang yung first ko at saka yung second set ko kasi I have to be composed. Pero hindi maganda yung timpla ng pagka-relax ko, so niremind ako ni coach na kailangan ko i-titimpla yung ginagawa ko,” Nitura told reporters.
“Thankful din ako sa mindset ko kanina with the help of God. Talagang finorsee ko na lahat ng pressure, lahat ng hirap, lahat ng challenges na pwedeng mangyari kasi nga, rookie year ko tapos captain pa ako. So I think, ready enough naman ako and trained na yung utak ko to face those challenges.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Nitura’s debut could not have been more spectacular. Not only did she return to San Marcelino victorious, but she also shattered multiple records in her very first game.
She set a new UAAP rookie scoring record with 33 points, surpassing Angge Poyos’ previous mark of 31 points, which was set three times last season.
Her stat line included 28 attacks, four blocks, one ace, seven excellent receptions, and five excellent digs — an all-around performance that showcased her immense potential.
Nitura also tied the highest-scoring output by a Lady Falcon since Angela Benting’s 33-point explosion in a four-set loss to UST on February 14, 2009.
Despite the historic milestones, Nitura remains focused on Adamson’s bigger goal — returning to the Final Four for the first time since Season 85 in 2023.
“Personally po, hindi naman po ako naglu-look forward for anything na ganoon. Bonus na lang po ‘yun kung sakaling magkaroon. Thankful po, siyempre, praise the Lord,” she said.
“Pero hindi pa naman po tapos ‘yung season. We want more for the team, not individually, but for the team. Dahil nakatikim kami ng isang panalo, I think we’re gonna be hungry for more.”
Looking ahead, Nitura acknowledged that there is still plenty of room for improvement — not just for herself, but for the entire rookie-laden Lady Falcons squad.
And what better way to test their growth than a showdown against defending champions and title favorites, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, on Saturday, February 22, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
A decorated spiker in the UAAP juniors division as a two-time 1st Best Outside Spiker in Seasons 85 and 86, Nitura is eager to learn from the league’s best, including La Salle stars Angel Canino and Shevana Laput.
“Given naman na po siya talaga na malakas po yung mga players nila, especially po kay Ate Angel. Pero yun nga, we’re just gonna give them a fight kung ano yung kaya namin, at yung training namin and then, let’s see the results kung sasangayon ba sa amin.”
