S87 Women's Volleyball: Adamson sweeps UP
Adamson-UP Second Round UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball
Game Natin
SHAINA Nitura capped her stellar rookie campaign on a high note, powering Adamson University to a 25-13, 25-21, 25-18, sweep of University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Sunday afternoon, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Nitura ended her historic UAAP rookie season with a total of 371 points -- 333 attacks, 25 blocks, and 13 aces -- built on six 30-point performances throughout 14 matches in Season 87. The pride of Cainta, Rizal reset the UAAP single-season scoring record, across all divisions, rookie scoring record, single-game scoring record, and most 30-point games in a single season.
Beyond her individual statistics, Nitura’s 22-point performance built on 18 attacks with nine excellent digs and six excellent receptions allowed the Lady Falcons to close out Season 87 with their third win in four outings -- which consisted of stunning wins over defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs and fourth-ranked FEU Lady Tamaraws -- ending the eliminations with a 6-8 card, a three-win improvement from a 3-11 slate in Season 86.
With identical 6-8 records, the Lady Falcons and the Fighting Maroons are now tied for the fifth and sixth spots, but Adamson holds the higher ranking due to this straight-sets win.
Adamson also avenged its heartbreaking first-round loss to UP, where Nitura fired off 38 points to reset the UAAP Women’s Volleyball single scoring record previously held by Alyssa Valdez and Sisi Rondina.
“Ang pinakahighlight ko this year is yung panalo namin ngayon kasi talagang teamwork yung nangyari kanina. Talagang lahat kami, kapag hindi gumagana yung isa, gumagana yung isa. Thankful kami kasi hindi ito yung last, but this is a beginning for a new season na agad,” Nitura said.
A block by American middle blocker Kassy Doering gave UP a brief 16-15 lead in the third set, but Adamson woke up just in time with a dominant 5-0 surge -- fueled by three Fighting Maroons errors and two attacks from Mayang Nuique -- to build a four-point, 20-16 cushion.
That proved to be all the breathing room that the Lady Falcons needed as an out of system hit from Nitura, a Fighting Maroons attack error, a Nitura dropball, and a Yesha Noceja service error to annex Adamson's sixth win in 14 outings.
After a dominant first set -- where the Lady Falcons led by as much as 12 points -- Adamson cruised to a 15-4 start in the second frame, only to see it dwindle down to three points at 15-12 behind eight consecutive points from UP.
While the Fighting Maroons showed signs of life, the Lady Falcons’ strong start proved to be too insurmountable to overcome as a backrow hit and a combination play from Nitura gave Adamson a two-set advantage.
"We're grateful na for next year, may ganon kami na nakukuhaan na grassroots na nagccontinue ng samahan nila. May nawala na isa, pero I know naman na may purpose si Lord sa mga nawawala at dumadating. I know naman na this journey, hindi lang hanggang ngayon ito," Lady Falcons head coach JP Yude said.
("We're grateful that for next year, we have that continuity with grassroots players who continue to build on their camaraderie. One player may have left, but I know that God has a purpose for those who come and go. I know that this journey isn't just for now.")
Nuique provided ample support to Nitura with 13 points on 13-of-22 attack efficiency with six excellent digs, while Nigerian wing spiker Frances Mordi provided 11 points and six excellent receptions.
Sagaysay capped off her rookie campaign by contributing 17 excellent sets and four points.
While UP absorbed two straight losses to end the tournament, the Fighting Maroons were able to replicate their best finish to a UAAP Women’s Volleyball campaign since Season 81 in 2019, while defeating three Final Four-bound teams in the NU Lady Bulldogs, the FEU Lady Tamaraws, and the DLSU Lady Spikers in the process.
It was a big turnaround for the Fighting Maroons, who won a combined two matches in the last two seasons.
No player from UP finished in double figures as rookie hitter Kianne Olango tallied seven points and 10 excellent digs, while Irah Jaboneta and Doering tallied five points each in the losing effort.
While Doering is set to leave the program after completing her one-and-done campaign, the Fighting Maroons’ future still looks bright with the additions of Casiey Dongallo, Jelai Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, Shamel Fernandez, and Jenalyn Umayam -- who all previously played for the UE Lady Warriors.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
