Adamson’s rookie Shaina Nitura sets record 33 points off reverse sweep against Ateneo

Games on Wednesday
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
9 a.m. – Ateneo vs NU (men)
11 a.m. – Ateneo vs NU (women)
3 p.m. – UP vs FEU (men)
5 p.m. – UP vs FEU (women)

SHAINA NITURA sent shockwaves in a rousing collegiate debut, firing a rookie record of 33 points as Adamson University pulled off a reverse sweep against Ateneo de Manila University, 21-25, 20-25, 25-12, 25-15, 15-12, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The super rookie, who went supernova with 28 kills, four blocks and an ace, erased the record of Santo Tomas’ Angge Poyos (31) last season for the most points by a first-year player in history to announce her arrival as the next big thing in the country’s premier collegiate league.

Ms. Nitura, the former UAAP girls’ MVP, also matched the highest output in Adamson history set by Angela Benting in 2009 as the Lady Falcons ushered in a new era in style by turning back the Blue Eagles from 0-2 set down.

Ms. Nitura last year anchored Adamson to a 14-0 sweep of the juniors’ division to bring home the school’s first-ever girls’ volleyball title and wasn’t to be denied even against the top dogs in collegiate play.

And she saved the best for last, hammering out five points in the deciding fifth after spearheading the Lady Falcons’ dominant rally in the third and fourth set, 25-12, 25-15.

Clinging to a precarious 12-11 lead in the rubber, Ms. Nitura dropped back-to-back hammers before another rookie Frances Mordi from Nigeria closed out the Blue Eagles to finish with 23 points on 16 attacks, five blocks and two aces.

Quarterbacking Adamson’s come-from-behind win was Felicity Sagaysay, Ms. Nitura’s teammate in their championship run and the girls’ division Best Setter, with 10 sets and five points.

The Lady Falcons, who fell just short in the first two sets, did it despite losing veteran middle blocker May Ann Nuique due to an ankle injury.

Ateneo’s Geezel Tsunashima also went down with a leg injury and had to be stretched off the court albeit she finished with 10 points as AC Miner (18) and Yvanna Sulit (10) led the way in Ateneo’s meltdown.

Adamson takes on powerhouse De La Salle University next for a 2-0 bid on Saturday as Ateneo will have its mettle tested on Wednesday against reigning champion National University (NU).

NU and La Salle were playing at press time in the duel between heavy title favorites, also starring superstar MVPs Bella Belen and Angela Canino.

In men’s volleyball, NU kickstarted its five-peat bid with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 sweep of La Salle as Ateneo drubbed Adamson, 25-17, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23. — John Bryan Ulanday