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Tag: Shaina Nitura

  • Shaina Nitura eager to play if Alas Pilipinas calls again for Asian Games duty 

    Shaina Nitura eager to play if Alas Pilipinas calls again for Asian Games duty 

    For most athletes, an injury means waiting. For Shaina Nitura, it has only strengthened her desire to wear the Philippine colors once again.

     

    The reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player has been watching from the sidelines as Alas Pilipinas competes in the ongoing 6th SEA V.League, with a left foot injury preventing her from joining the national team’s campaign in both legs of the regional tournament.

     

    While the setback forced one of the country’s brightest young stars to temporarily pause her international journey, Nitura has already set her sights on the next opportunity that could come much sooner than expected.

     

    With the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya fast approaching, the Adamson standout remains hopeful that another call-up could be waiting once she is fully healthy.

     

    “Masaya siya and looking forward kung sakaling mapasama ako sa lineup. Great opportunity siya sa akin and andaming pwede kong makuha na experience and learning kasi one of the biggest stages na ‘yun na pwede mong ma-achieve as a player,” Nitura said.

     

    “Kung mabigyan ako ng opportunity to play there, ite-take advantage ko lahat ng opportunity na kaya kong kunin and learnings na pwede kong kunin para madala ko ulit for my team and myself.”

    Representing Alas Pilipinas has already become one of the defining experiences of Nitura’s young career—not only because of the competition, but because it placed her alongside players she once admired from afar.

     

    Long before becoming one of Philippine volleyball’s biggest stars herself, Nitura grew up watching many of the national team’s veterans. Sharing the same court with them became something she never imagined would happen so early in her career.

     

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    “It feels very special kasi ‘yung mga nakasama ko du’n, mga beterano na eh. Since bata ako, na hindi pa ako nag-start mag-volleyball, nakikita ko na sila maglaro. So who would have thought na, sa college career ko, makakasama ko silang mag-training, makakasama sa loob ng court to compete against other countries or other players,” she said.

     

    “Ano siya sa akin, overwhelming and very special. Lagi ko siyang tine-treasure kasi I never expected na gano’n din sila ka-humble.”

     

    Beyond sharing the jersey with some of the country’s most accomplished players, Nitura said the biggest reward has been learning directly from teammates who have already experienced the highs and lows of international volleyball.

     

    Rather than treating her as one of the younger members of the squad, the veterans welcomed her with guidance and constant encouragement, lessons she continues to carry even while recovering from injury.

     

    “Ang dami ko kasi talagang natutunan sa kanila. Through ups and downs, talagang gano’n pa rin sila, at ginagabayan nila ako. Alam na nila ‘yung sasabihin sa akin kasi na-experience nila. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung nagpapa-special para sa akin,” she said.

     

    For now, Nitura’s priority remains returning to full fitness, but her ambitions have not changed.

    If the opportunity comes to represent the Philippines in Japan, the UAAP MVP is ready to trade rehabilitation for competition once again and continue building her journey with Alas Pilipinas on one of the biggest stages in Asian sports.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas dealt major blow as Vanie Gandler, Jennifer Nierva, Shaina Nitura miss Asian Games 

    Alas Pilipinas dealt major blow as Vanie Gandler, Jennifer Nierva, Shaina Nitura miss Asian Games 

    Alas Pilipinas Women will head into the 20th Asian Games with a different look than initially envisioned after injuries sidelined three important pieces of the national team’s plans.

     

    Instead of spending the coming months building chemistry with its full roster, the coaching staff will now have to navigate preparations without Vanessa “Vanie” Gandler, Jennifer Nierva, and Shaina Nitura, each unavailable for different injury-related reasons.

     

    The latest setback involves reigning 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Most Valuable Player Vanie Gandler, who opted to step away from national team duties after an exhausting run of competition that culminated in the biggest individual honor of her career.

     

    Rather than risk aggravating lingering physical issues, the former Cignal star chose recovery, prioritizing long-term health before returning to competition.

     

    Alas Pilipinas will also miss one of its most dependable defensive anchors.

     

    Veteran libero Jennifer Nierva has likewise been ruled out as she continues to recover from an injury, depriving the national team of one of its most experienced backcourt leaders entering continental competition.

     

    The biggest blow, however, may be the loss of one of Philippine volleyball’s fastest-rising stars.

    The Philippine Olympic Committee earlier confirmed that Shaina Nitura will miss the Asian Games after undergoing surgery to address an ankle injury.

     

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    Initially named to the national team pool, the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player instead begins a rehabilitation process expected to last around three months, delaying what could have been her biggest international tournament to date.

     

    Nitura’s absence removes one of the country’s most explosive young scorers from the lineup and leaves Alas Pilipinas without a player many viewed as a cornerstone of its future.

     

    The trio’s unavailability significantly alters the complexion of the squad as preparations continue under head coach Taka Minowa, who now faces the challenge of assembling a competitive lineup despite losing three players expected to play major roles.

     

    While the setbacks are substantial, Alas Pilipinas will press on with the remaining members of its training pool as the national team continues preparations for the Asian Games, scheduled from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

     

    With less than three months before the continental showcase, the focus now shifts from assembling the strongest possible roster to ensuring the available group is ready to compete on Asia’s biggest stage.

     

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  • Why More Alas Pilipinas Stars Are Potentially Choosing to Step Away From the AVC Women’s Cup

    Why More Alas Pilipinas Stars Are Potentially Choosing to Step Away From the AVC Women’s Cup

    What initially looked like isolated player withdrawals from Alas Pilipinas is beginning to reveal a much deeper issue surrounding the national team program.

     

    Over the past week, several key names from the Philippines’ recent Southeast Asian Games campaign — including Jia De Guzman, Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, and Amie Provido — have all opted to skip the upcoming AVC Women’s Cup in Candon City.


    The list has continued to grow.

     

    Erika Santos, Vanie Gandler, Alleiah Malaluan, Kianna Dy, and Shaina Nitura have likewise withdrawn from Alas duties for the 2026 AVC Women’s Nations Cup, according to Tony Boy Liao.

     

    However, Liao clarified that the five players have only begged off from the AVC tournament itself and have not formally declined participation for the rest of the national team calendar, which still includes the training camp in Chinese Taipei and the SEA V.League.

     

    That distinction matters.

     

    Because while the growing number of absences has understandably alarmed fans, the situation may not necessarily point toward a complete disconnect between the players and the national team program. For many athletes, this appears to be more about timing, workload, recovery, and uncertainty surrounding the current setup rather than a full withdrawal from national team service altogether.

     

    Still, it is impossible to ignore how the atmosphere surrounding Alas Pilipinas has become increasingly turbulent over the past several months.

     

    On the surface, the reasons vary. Some players cited physical recovery after a grueling UAAP and PVL calendar. Others are dealing with injuries, professional commitments, or uncertainty surrounding the direction of the program itself.

     

    But when current and former Alas mainstays finally began speaking publicly, a clearer picture started to emerge: many players are not simply exhausted physically — they are also searching for stability, communication, and clarity within the national team setup.

     

    For years, Philippine volleyball players have often been expected to juggle year-round commitments between school, club teams, commercial obligations, and national duty with very little offseason in between. Unlike other countries with centralized programs and longer preparation windows, many local players transition almost immediately from one high-intensity tournament to another.

     

    That reality became even more evident after the historic UAAP Season 88 campaign, where De La Salle University completed a rare 16-0 sweep before several Lady Spikers immediately found themselves invited to the national pool.

     

    In explaining their withdrawal, Canino acknowledged that representing the country remains a privilege, but emphasized the importance of recovery after such a physically demanding season.

    At the same time, recent statements from Fifi Sharma and De Guzman suggested that the concerns go beyond simple fatigue.

     

    “I hope we continue to spread awareness on everything that’s been happening surrounding the national team,” Sharma wrote on her Instagram broadcast channel.

     

    “This is the closest we’ve ever gotten to having a core and it’s sad to see it fall into the wrong hands.”

     

    The middle blocker also pointed to frustrations that appear to have quietly built up behind the scenes over time.

     

    “It’s difficult to keep giving your all and fighting for something that consistently fails to take care of you,” she said.

     

    “Passion can carry you far but it shouldn’t be used to justify neglect.”

     

    De Guzman echoed similar sentiments while stressing that players were hoping for clearer communication after the transition in leadership within the federation.

     

    “Actually, the current roster, we were actually hoping that the PNVF would share plans with us. Even right after SEA Games kasi, we knew that they took over and we were actually very hopeful na moving forward, the future would be bright,” De Guzman shared.

     

    She also raised concerns regarding the lack of formal communication surrounding future plans for the program.

     

    “It’s just a little saddening that we haven’t heard anything from our managers and that the burden of reaching out actually falls on the players,” she said.

     

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    “That part I don’t really understand. But again, despite this, we also remain open to dialogue. We just hope that it is formal, meaningful, and talaga with a genuine desire to address the needs of the athlete.”

     

    Perhaps the most important point raised by De Guzman involved uncertainty regarding long-term structure — an issue that many national athletes often quietly navigate behind closed doors.

     

    “Right now, there are still so many questions around things like the Alas draft, the recruitment process, and how contracts are to be structured. And as athletes, those are very important details that directly affect our careers,” she added.

     

    Adding another layer to the situation is the unresolved controversy involving former Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito.

     

    De Brito has reportedly elevated his dispute with the Philippine National Volleyball Federation to the National Labor Relations Commission over alleged unpaid salaries, bonuses, and illegal deductions.

     

    The Brazilian coach, who helped steer the Philippines to one of its strongest stretches in recent years, publicly expressed frustration over the lack of communication surrounding the matter.

     

    “I worked for the federation, for the flag, for the country,” de Brito said in reports surrounding the case. “Once you terminate someone, you don’t pay and you want to just finish without settling unpaid dues? I don’t think so.”

     

    Current federation leadership has distanced itself from the dispute, with Liao previously saying the issue stemmed from the prior administration.

     

    Even so, the optics of a public labor dispute involving a former national team coach have inevitably added to concerns among players and fans regarding organizational stability and long-term planning inside the program.

     

    The federation has also recently faced scrutiny over broader administrative issues tied to Philippine volleyball, including ongoing questions regarding funding liquidation related to the country’s hosting of the FIVB Men’s World Championship.

     

    To be fair, the PNVF is also navigating an undeniably difficult situation.

     

    The federation has been forced to rebuild the roster on short notice while dealing with player availability concerns, scheduling conflicts, and the absence of newly appointed head coach Tai Bundit following his car accident in Thailand.

     

    National team programs are rarely built overnight, especially in a country where volleyball stakeholders remain spread across collegiate, club, and commercial systems with competing priorities.

     

    The AVC Women’s Cup itself also arrives during a particularly awkward part of the calendar — immediately after the UAAP season, while many PVL teams are simultaneously rebuilding their rosters ahead of the next conference.

     

    In many ways, the current situation reflects growing pains more than outright conflict.

     

    For the first time in years, Philippine women’s volleyball appeared to be building continuity around a legitimate core of young stars. Expectations also grew alongside the program’s recent rise in international competitiveness.

     

    That is precisely why the current wave of withdrawals feels significant.

     

    Not because players no longer care about representing the country — many of them have repeatedly expressed the opposite — but because today’s athletes are beginning to openly ask for a healthier, more organized, and more sustainable national team environment moving forward.

     

    And perhaps that conversation, uncomfortable as it may be right now, could ultimately become necessary for Alas Pilipinas to truly take the next step.

     

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  • Shaina Nitura sees individual honors as a stepping stone for Lady Falcons’ UAAP Finals pursuit

    Shaina Nitura sees individual honors as a stepping stone for Lady Falcons’ UAAP Finals pursuit

    For many players, winning the Most Valuable Player award represents the peak of a collegiate career. For Shaina Nitura, it may only be the beginning of a much larger goal.

     

    After a historic UAAP Season 88 campaign, Nitura emphasized that her individual awards will not mean much on their own if they do not eventually translate into success for the Lady Falcons. For her, the real goal is still to help the team take the next step and finally secure a championship breakthrough in the seasons ahead.

     

    Nitura emerged as the centerpiece of Adamson’s resurgence this season after capturing two of the league’s biggest individual awards — the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball MVP and the Best Outside Hitter. More importantly, her rise coincided with the Lady Falcons’ return to relevance after steering the team back to the Final Four for the first time since Season 85.


    Despite becoming the first player in Adamson women’s volleyball history to secure the league’s highest individual honor, the 21-year-old outside hitter insisted that the team’s unfinished business remains her top priority.

     

    “Hindi naman doon titigil yung career ko, yung career namin, and yung pagpu-push namin to get into the Finals. Nandoon pa rin talaga yung focus namin,” Nitura said.

     

    The numbers behind her MVP campaign reflected just how dominant she was throughout the season. Nitura topped the statistical race with 98.511 statistical points, comfortably ahead of teammate Frances Mordi, who finished second with 82.766 SP.

     

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    Instead of viewing the awards as individual validation, Nitura sees them as proof that Adamson is building a roster capable of contending with the league’s traditional powerhouses in the coming years.

     

    “Actually, this only means na capable kami makapasok ng Finals kasi meron kaming Fhei at meron kaming other players na pwede mag-push through it sa upcoming seasons na meron kami with the team,” she said.

     

    One of the players Nitura specifically pointed to was Fhei Sagaysag, who also earned major recognition after being named Best Setter of the Season.

     

    Together, the two became symbolic of Adamson’s rise from rebuilding squad to legitimate contender.

     

    While her collegiate future appears brighter than ever, Nitura also faced a difficult decision regarding national team duties. The former Alas Pilipinas player had initially expressed willingness to suit up for the Philippines in the upcoming AVC Women’s Cup scheduled from June 6 to 14 in Candon City.

     

    However, she eventually begged off from national team duties to focus on recovering from an undisclosed injury, a decision that could help preserve both her long-term health and Adamson’s growing ambitions heading into the next UAAP season.

     

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  • Shaina Nitura bags four individual awards in her standout UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball campaign

    Shaina Nitura bags four individual awards in her standout UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball campaign

    In a UAAP Season 88 campaign defined by breakthrough performances and rising stars, one name stood above the rest as both a symbol of consistency and a catalyst for change.


    In just her second year, Shaina Nitura completed a rapid rise from Rookie of the Year to Most Valuable Player, officially earning the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball MVP award while delivering a historic first for Adamson University in the women’s division. 

     

    It marked the first time the program produced a women’s MVP, capping off a season that reshaped expectations for the Lady Falcons.

     

    Nitura’s dominance was reflected not just in accolades, but in cold statistical control across multiple categories. She finished with 98.51 statistical points and a league-best 284 total points, while also ranking among the league’s elite in nearly every major skill area—third in spiking efficiency at 38.15%, seventh in service with 0.26 aces per set, fourth in reception at 44.48%, and eighth in digging with 2.11 digs per set.

     

    Her all-around impact also earned her a share of the Best Outside Spiker award alongside Angel Canino of De La Salle University, with Nitura and Canino finishing with 303 and 272 ranking points respectively.

     

    Beyond the major honors, Nitura also collected two minor season awards, including the Hyundai Stargazer Player of the Season and Sunsilk Player of the Season, bringing her total cash incentives to P100,000. 

     

    But for her, the achievement carried meaning beyond individual recognition.

     

    “Very honored po ako na ibalik yung binigay sa aking tiwala, positivity, yung tulong na binigay ng Adamson sa amin, sa akin, sa buong team. Binigyan kami ng (Adamson) hindi lang basta sa pera, sa dorm, sa pag-aaral, kung hindi puso sa paglalaro at puso para ipanalo yung Adamson, yung Adamson community at ipaglaban sila,” she said.

     

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    More than personal success, Nitura’s season became the driving force behind Adamson’s return to relevance, steering the program to its first Final Four appearance since UAAP Season 84. 

     

    Her leadership on the court turned the Lady Falcons from outsiders into legitimate contenders once again. Even in celebration, she pointed toward what comes next—expressing belief that the breakthrough is only the beginning and that both she and Adamson can push further in the seasons ahead.

     

    The season also carried a family storyline of success, as her sister Judiel Nitura made her own mark by winning Best Opposite Spiker and Finals MVP honors for the NCAA Season 101 champion Letran Lady Knights.

     

    Furthermore, in the league the other standout performers were also recognized in a talent-heavy season. 

     

    Shevana Laput secured Finals MVP and Best Opposite Spiker honors, while La Salle teammate Amie Provido earned Best Middle Blocker recognition. 

     

    National University’s National University (Philippines) Lady Bulldogs also saw key awardees in Shaira Jardio (Best Libero) and Sam Cantada (Rookie of the Year), while Adamson’s Fhei Sagaysay was named Best Setter and UP’s Niña Ytang completed the Best Middle Blocker selections.

     

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  • Season’s MVP Shaina Nitura’s breakthrough campaign ends in setback, but Adamson sees bigger future ahead 

    Season’s MVP Shaina Nitura’s breakthrough campaign ends in setback, but Adamson sees bigger future ahead 

    For a season built on breakthroughs, Adamson’s story hit a hard stop in the semifinals—but not without promise for what comes next.


    The UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball campaign, where Shaina Nitura emerged as Most Valuable Player, was momentarily halted after the Adamson Lady Falcons suffered a straight-sets defeat to the UST Golden Tigresses, 25-16, 25-18, 25-19, in the first phase of the stepladder semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

     

    The loss ended Adamson’s run in the Final Four, a stage they had reached for the first time in years—but for head coach JP Yude, the result was less about closure and more about a beginning.

     

    “Siyempre, first time na makapasok sa Final Four, pero I’m very glad na tinuruan ako ni Lord on how to respond properly to encourage and motivate pa rin yung players,” he said.

     

    Yude, who guided a young core led by sophomore standouts Nitura and Best Setter Fhei Sagaysay, acknowledged that inexperience was exposed against a more seasoned UST squad.

     

    Adamson struggled heavily in attack, finishing at just eight percent efficiency, with Nitura converting only 12 of 46 attempts while Sagaysay was limited to 11 excellent sets. Still, the coach chose to focus on growth rather than the result.

     

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    Even in defeat, Nitura continued to shoulder responsibility for Adamson, finishing with 13 points, 11 excellent receptions, and seven digs in her first collegiate postseason appearance.

     

    The Season 88 MVP had already built a historic run prior to the semifinals, leading the league in scoring and ranking among the Top 10 in multiple categories—third in spiking, sixth in serving, eighth in digging, and eighth in receiving—amassing 284 total points and 98.51 statistical points.

     

    Her all-around brilliance also earned her a share of the Best Outside Spiker award alongside De La Salle University’s Angel Canino, further cementing her breakout season.

     

    For Adamson, meanwhile, the focus shifts from results to development.

     

    “Sa susunod, gusto kong makita yung maturity niya every time. Kasi hindi naman nabibigay sa player agad-agad yun, through experience din,” Yude said.

     

    And while the season ends earlier than hoped, Adamson walks away with something they’ve lacked in recent years as postseason exposure and a young MVP whose journey is only just beginning.

     

    The challenge now shifts from proving she belongs among the league’s best to learning how to carry that status into deeper, more pressure-filled battles in the seasons ahead.

     

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  • Shaina Nitura makes UAAP history as Adamson’s first MVP while Josh Ybañez seals men’s three-peat MVP run 

    Shaina Nitura makes UAAP history as Adamson’s first MVP while Josh Ybañez seals men’s three-peat MVP run 

    Shaina Nitura did not just headline a breakthrough season for Adamson University—she rewrote the program’s history.


    In a campaign defined by consistency and two-way dominance, Adamson’s outside hitter is set to become the Lady Falcons’ first-ever Most Valuable Player in UAAP Collegiate Women’s Volleyball history, capping a season where she led from the front and lifted Adamson back into the Final Four spot.

     

    Nitura once again paced the league in scoring for the second straight year, finishing Season 88 with 284 points built on 248 attacks, 24 blocks, and 12 aces. 

     

    Her production went beyond offense, as she emerged as one of the most complete players on the floor—ranking third in spiking efficiency at 38.15 percent, fourth in receptions at 44.48 percent, and eighth in digging with 2.11 digs per set.

     

    That all-around impact translated into separation in the MVP race. Nitura finished with a league-best 98.511 statistical points (SP), comfortably ahead of teammate Frances Mordi, who ended with 82.766 SP. The margin highlighted not just volume, but control of the game on both ends of the court.

     

    Her dominance also extends to the awards podium, where she is set to claim her first Best Outside Spiker recognition with 303 ranking points (RP), alongside De La Salle University’s Angel Canino, who earned the other slot with 272 RP. 

     

    Adamson, meanwhile, continues its postseason push, waiting in the stepladder quarterfinals for the winner of the University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University matchup which will be held on Saturday, April 24 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    While Nitura’s rise signals a new era for Adamson, the men’s side saw a familiar name return to the top.

     

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    Josh Ybañez reclaimed his place as the UAAP’s most dominant force, capturing his third Most Valuable Player award in the Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament. 

     

    The UST senior roared back in Season 88 to lead the league with 90.192 SP, becoming the first men’s volleyball player in UST history to complete a three-MVP haul.

     

    Ybañez’s numbers reflected a player back at full command of the game. He ranked fourth in spiking efficiency at 45.19 percent, second in aces with 0.35 per set, and second in receptions at 65.68 percent, all while finishing as the league’s second-leading scorer with 278 points from 244 spikes, 16 blocks, and 18 aces.

     

    He is also set to secure his third Best Outside Spiker award after finishing with 329 RP, reinforcing his all-around impact on both ends of the floor. 

     

    National University’s Michaelo Buddin earned the other outside hitter spot with 269 RP after leading the league in aces at 0.48 per set and ranking eighth in spiking at 41.27 percent.

     

    Ybañez and his squad are still vying for the second seed in the Final Four and will face NU after both teams finished tied at a 10-4 win-loss record in the men’s division playoffs for the No. 2 spot. 

     

    In a season defined by comebacks, breakthroughs, and sustained excellence, Nitura and Ybañez stood at opposite programs but shared the same outcome—proof that dominance in UAAP volleyball still belongs to those who can carry it across every facet of the game.

     

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  • Adamson nears Final Four berth as Shaina Nitura leads sweep of UP

    Adamson nears Final Four berth as Shaina Nitura leads sweep of UP

    With one game left in the eliminations, the Adamson Lady Falcons tightened its grip on Final Four contention after a dominant straight-sets win over the UP Fighting Maroons, 25-19, 25-18, 25-16.


    The victory lifted the Lady Falcons to an 8–5 record, allowing them to break free from a previous three-way tie with the UST Golden Tigresses and FEU Lady Tamaraws for solo third place. 


    But despite the favorable position, nothing is secured yet—Adamson still needs one more win to officially clinch a Final Four berth.

     

    Leading the charge once again was Shaina Nitura, who delivered 26 points on 23 attacks and three blocks, alongside six digs and six receptions in a composed all-around effort with a 55% attack rate.

     

    Yet even as she continues to anchor Adamson’s late-season surge, Nitura insists the team’s mindset remains inward-looking.

     

    “We’re focused talaga sa sarili namin, ‘yung gagawin ng team on how we win, how we’re gonna respond sa challenges na ihaharap sa amin. We focus on ourselves na magrespond well at manalo,” Nitura said.

     

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    Her performance reflected that approach—steady, efficient, and anchored on discipline rather than urgency. For Nitura, the difference-maker isn’t just talent, but how a team responds under pressure.

     

    “Siguro God’s will eh, hindi ko rin alam. Siyempre gusto rin ng kabila. So siguro nagma-matter talaga sinong mas may gusto, and kung sino yung mas nagre-respond ng tama at applicable doon sa sitwasyon na yun,” the outside hitter Player of the Game said.

     

    “I think everyone naman pag may gusto, talagang ipilit gagawa ng paraan, kaliwa, kanan, baba at taas kung gusto mo talaga,” she added.

     

    Adamson’s supporting cast also delivered, with Joy Aseo contributing 10 points and Eloi Dote adding seven. Fhei Sagaysay orchestrated the offense with 21 excellent sets while scoring four markers.

     

    Still, Nitura emphasized that individual output takes a backseat to the team’s collective goal.

     

    “I think sa ginagalawan namin, pinapaboran kami on how we respond talaga as a team, and talagang sineset aside namin yung mga individual, yung mga selfish desires na gusto namin, or yung pansarili. So talagang naka-focus kami on helping the team to get into Final Four, and the same goes with the coaching staff.”

     

    On the other side, UP saw its Final Four hopes officially slip away. Now at 5–8, the Fighting Maroons were eliminated from contention, extending their drought to eight straight seasons without a semifinal appearance. Kianne Olango led the team with 13 points, while Irah Jaboneta and Nina Ytang chipped in five and four, respectively.

     

    For Adamson, the path is now simple—but not easy as the final elimination-round showdown against FEU awaits at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. One more win, and the Lady Falcons finally complete their return. 

     

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  • Adamson still searching for consistency, says Shaina Nitura

    Adamson still searching for consistency, says Shaina Nitura

    For Adamson, the challenge this season has never really been about whether it has enough talent to compete. The Lady Falcons have shown more than once in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball that they can beat quality teams and stay within reach of the Final Four race.

     

    The problem has been what comes after every good performance. Just when Adamson looks ready to build momentum, the rhythm breaks, leaving the team stuck in a pattern of starts and stops that has defined much of its campaign so far.

     

    That is why Wednesday’s 25-17, 27-25, 25-16 win over Ateneo at the Smart Araneta Coliseum felt like more than just another result in the standings. For Shaina Nitura, it was another chance to show what Adamson can become — and another reminder of what still needs to improve.

     

    At the center of that is consistency, a word that has become just as important to Adamson as any statistic or standing. Nitura knows that if the Lady Falcons want to become a legitimate threat in the latter part of the season, it has to begin with the habits they bring every game.

     

    “Sa tingin ko po, the only thing naman na magagawa ko for the team is to be consistent as well. To start the consistency and do the work so that they can see it the work and makapagfollow din sila.” Nitura said.

     

    “So I think yun yung pwede kong gawin to help the team be consistent.”

     

    Nitura backed up those words with another commanding outing, finishing with 25 points in just three sets. It was the kind of performance that once again highlighted her ability to carry Adamson offensively whenever the team needs someone to settle the floor.

     

    But what made her outing stand out even more was not just the total points — it was when and how she delivered them. In the tightly contested second set, where Ateneo threatened to shift the match’s momentum, Nitura stayed composed and made the right decisions in key moments to help Adamson survive the extended frame, 27-25.

     

    That poise has become one of the clearest signs of her growth. While her rookie season was built largely on explosive scoring and record-setting numbers, this year has also shown a more measured and mature version of Nitura — one learning how to lead through both production and presence.

     

    Still, she understands that Adamson’s ceiling will not depend on her alone. For all the bright spots the Lady Falcons have shown this season, they have yet to consistently put together the kind of complete team performances that can sustain a deep run.

     

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    “Very grateful naman [kami] on how my teammates and how the coaches respond [to losses]. Yun nga, laging win-loss-win-loss yung trend namin so, pero sinusubukan din naman namin na maging consistent to get more wins,” Nitura admitted.

     

    “Siguro nagkataon nalang din yun sa schedule din yun. So we will try our best. It doesn’t matter naman samin yun eh, as long as we are playing at our best palagi and yung goal namin nakukuha namin, we’re achieving it, we’re fine with.”

     

    That honesty reflects exactly where Adamson stands right now. At 5-4, the Lady Falcons are still firmly in the mix, but their position remains fragile in a season where one bad stretch can quickly undo weeks of hard work.

     

    There is enough in their game to believe they can challenge anyone on the right day. The bigger test is whether they can make that level of play repeatable often enough to matter when the pressure intensifies.

     

    Wednesday at least offered a glimpse of that possibility. Nitura received much-needed support from Frances Mordi, who chipped in 15 points to help keep Adamson balanced and less reliant on a one-player show.

     

    That kind of secondary production may prove just as important as Nitura’s brilliance moving forward. In a tightly packed race, Adamson will need more than standout performances — it will need trust, timing, and enough consistency to finally string wins together.

     

    For Ateneo, the defeat was another difficult result in a challenging campaign. The Blue Eagles were led by Zel Tsunashima, who scored nine points, but they struggled to keep up with Adamson’s sharper execution and steadier offense.

     

    Now, the Lady Falcons turn their focus to another important test against a hungry UE side on Saturday, March 28, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. It is another opportunity for Adamson to prove that this latest win can be more than just another isolated step forward.

     

    Because for a team still trying to define itself this season, the next breakthrough may not come from simply winning again. It may come from finally learning how to make those wins last.

     

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  • Poyos, Jurado rebounds UST; Canino triple-double keeps La Salle perfect over Nitura, Adamson 

    Poyos, Jurado rebounds UST; Canino triple-double keeps La Salle perfect over Nitura, Adamson 

    The scoring punch of Angge Poyos and Reg Jurado fueled a much-needed response from the UST Golden Tigresses as they turned back the UP Fighting Maroons women’s volleyball team in four sets, 16-25, 25-13, 25-19, 25-20, in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament action Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    Still reeling from a straight-sets defeat to the Adamson Lady Falcons days earlier, UST leaned heavily on its offensive tandem to halt the slide and regain its rhythm in the tournament.

     

    Poyos spearheaded the charge with 24 points while contributing on the floor with seven digs and six receptions. Jurado complemented her teammate with 16 points as the Tigresses steadied themselves after dropping the opening set and eventually seized control of the match.

     

    The win lifted UST to its third victory in six outings, with Jurado commending the team’s response after the previous setback.

     

    Support also came from Jonna Perdido, who added 13 points along with steady floor defense, while Julia Balingit chipped in four points at crucial moments. Setter Cassie Carballo orchestrated the offense with 18 excellent sets while also contributing a point and three digs.

     

    UST’s composure late in the fourth set proved decisive. Protecting a slim advantage, the Tigresses strung together three straight points courtesy of Balingit, Perdido and Avril Bron to widen the gap and put the match out of reach.

     

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    Although service miscues from both sides briefly halted the momentum, the Tigresses maintained their edge long enough to secure the bounce-back victory.

     

    For UP, Niña Ytang delivered 14 points while Jelai Gajero added 12 markers. Their efforts, however, could not prevent the Fighting Maroons from absorbing their second straight defeat and third loss in their last four games.

     

    Earlier in the day, the De La Salle Lady Spikers preserved their perfect record, surviving a gritty challenge from Adamson in a five-set thriller, 19-25, 25-20, 25-21, 13-25, 15-5.

     

    Shevana Laput delivered a career-best 26 points built on 19 attacks, six blocks and a service ace, while Angel Canino added 19 points along with all-around contributions on defense and reception.

     

    The Lady Spikers struggled to establish rhythm early but rediscovered their form in the deciding frame. Holding a narrow 7-5 advantage, La Salle unleashed a dominant finishing run, scoring eight unanswered points capped by consecutive attacks from Shane Reterta to seal their sixth consecutive victory.

     

    Despite committing more errors than Adamson, La Salle still managed to keep its unbeaten campaign intact, having dropped just three sets throughout the season so far.

     

    Adamson drew strong performances from Frances Mordi, who poured in 22 points, and Shaina Nitura, who finished with 21 points to go along with solid reception and defensive numbers.

     

    However, the Lady Falcons struggled to generate consistent offense in the deciding set, allowing the Lady Spikers to pull away and escape with the victory.

     

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