Adamson University star rookie Shaina Nitura in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Shaina Nitura and Adamson University were able to return to the win column of UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball on Saturday.
After dealing with four straight setbacks to end Round 1 -- with the last one even being the game wherein Nitura set the league scoring record for a single contest in their division with 38 -- the Lady Falcons rediscovered their groove by sweeping University of the East.
Nitura finished with 18 points, five digs, and a reception, and despite this being 20 fewerthan her career-best, there were no problems for the Rookie of the Year frontrunner.
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“Since then naman po, nung nagsimula itong UAAP, my goal was to win,” she emphasized. “Not anything else, not achieving individual records or anything else.
One thing that Nitura’s record did for her though, is put her name on par, and even above, the likes of Ateneo de Manila University legend Alyssa Valdez and former University of Santo Tomas star Sisi Rondina.
Nitura broke their previous records of 35, and she was flattered for the recognition that she got from Valdez.
“Grateful po ako kasi yung mga veterans and superstars ng Philippine volleyball, naa-acknowledge yung hard work at ginagawa ko,” she said, while also detailing how she handles the pressure that comes from being a rookie standout.
“No pressure naman po. ‘Di ko naman po iniisip yun masyado, kasi the more you think about it, mas mapepressure po kung sino yung nag-iisip ng ganun,” Nitura explained.
“I know yung kapasidad ko as a person. I don’t have to rely on anyone’s expectations unless it’s my coaches or my teammates. Anything else aside from that, hindi ko na iniisip.”
That is why, circling back to her coaches and teammates, what Nitura prioritizes is doing everything for their collective success, not the feats which only allow her to shine individually.
“I’m still grateful na nakuha ko po yun, and binibigay po ni Lord,” she said. “It’s a bonus, and balik parin po tayo sa goal na we want to win. We want to win games. Not sets, not records, not anything else.”
For this to come to fruition, Nitura is now challenging her fellow Lady Falcons to help one another.
“Since then na nag start kami, sinusubukan namin i-work na nadi-distribute ng maayos yung bola,” she said. “Yung lahat may role na ginagampanan ng maayos. It will take time bago yun mangyari kasi nga most of us are first years, then rest is second year, third year, tapos fourth, mga graduating na.”
“Up until now, we’re still working, pero sana by this round is mas makita na yung chemistry namin as a team. ‘Di pa po tapos yung season, so I’m still hoping na may mangyari pang maganda,” she furthered.
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