MANILA, Philippines – Shaina Nitura added another feat to what has been an astounding rookie season.
Nitura tallied 32 points to lift the Adamson Lady Falcons to a massive upset of the playoff-bound NU Lady Bulldogs, 25-23, 15-25, 28-26, 25-22, that kept their Final Four hopes alive in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, April 6.
Nitura had 30 attacks and 2 blocks in the win, becoming the first player in the women’s division to record at least 30 points four times in a season in UAAP history.
It was also Nitura’s second straight 30-point outing, after putting up 36 points in a losing effort against the UST Golden Tigresses last Wednesday, April 2.
The win is also the first for Adamson against NU since Season 81 in 2019.
“This was a confidence booster for eveyone in the team,” Nitura said in Filipino. “This tells us that we do not have to belittle ourselves because we know we can perform on the court.”
“This is God’s grace, especially that we lost our past two games where we saw our confidence dipped,” she added.
The Lady Falcons improved to 4-7 in the season, reviving their Final Four hopes with just three games remaining in the elimination round. They are currently tied at the sixth spot with the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs suffered their second loss in the last three games after absorbing their first defeat of the season at the hands of the UP Fighting Maroons. NU secured its spot in the Final Four after FEU defeated UP earlier in the day.
Missing Alyssa Solomon, NU struggled to keep up with Nitura’s exploits as Bella Belen led the Lady Bulldogs with 19 points, while Vange Alinsug added 16 markers.
Chams Maaaya added 12 points for NU on top of a pair of 10-point performances from Erin Pangilinan and Arah Panique that went to naught.
Aside from the Nitura, no other player scored in double digits for Adamson, with Frances Mordi ending up as the next-best scorer with 9 points, including the game-winning attack.
Adamson weathered numerous NU runs in the game, especially in the third set, where the Lady Bulldogs extended the frame, before Nitura powered the finishing touches to secure the pivotal 2-1 set lead.
Adamson then banked on contributions from Mordi, Jen Villagas, and Eloi Dote in the final set to seal the win.
“I’m proud of the girls today because as soon as they stepped on the court, I knew they wanted to win this,” Adamson head coach JP Yude said.
The Lady Falcons will next face the Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, April 12, at the same venue.
NU, on the other hand, will look to bounce back against the UE Lady Warriors on Wednesday, April 9, at the PhilSports Arena. – Rappler.com