Shaina Nitura continued to run the show for Adamson University, and this time, her 32-point explosion finally resulted in a timely win.
The Lady Falcons staved off elimination by staging a monstrous upset over the Alyssa Solomon-less National University Lady Bulldogs, 25-23, 15-25, 28-26, 25-22, to pump life to its dimming Final Four chances in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
This was Nitura’s second consecutive 30-point outing and fourth overall, after unleashing 36 points in a five-set defeat to University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday. It was also a bounce-back performance by the 20-year-old sensational rookie after being held to a season-low 13 points in their first round matchup against NU.
“We praise and thank God for the win kasi kapag will ni Lord no one can stop. I’m very proud sa mga bata ngayon kasi una pa lang pagsalang pa lang nila unang point pa lang alam ko na na maglalaro sila na gusto nilang manalo sa game na ito,” said Lady Falcons head coach JP Yude after the two-hour, 22-minute battle.
This victory marked Adamson’s first win over NU since March 23, 2019, a 25-15, 25-19, 25-22 first round decision in Season 81, ending an eight-match losing streak.
Adamson also stopped a two-game skid to improve its record to 4-7, tying Ateneo de Manila University for sixth to seventh spots. They are three games out of the fourth seed with three games left in their respective schedules.
And it all happened because of Nitura, now not a one-man show and ably backed up by her teammates.
In the tight third frame, Nitura took it upon herself to give Adamson the edge by hammering a crosscourt kill, then a sharp backrow hit for the 28-26 win and the 2-1 set advantage.
Then, in the fourth, with Nitura guarded, rookie setter Fhei Sagaysay turned to her other teammates
Tied at 20 all, Jen Villegas gave the Lady Falcons back the lead with a hit off an overreceived ball, and then Eloi Dote followed it up with a solid block on Bella Belen before Frances Mordi made it three straight points for them, 23-20.
Belen answered but Erin Pangilinan threw her service long to give Adamson the match point, 24-21.
Although the two-time MVP was able to get another point for the Lady Bulldogs, Mordi completed the upset with a hit that pierced through the blockers for the win that allowed the Lady Falcons to avoid elimination.
“Syempre pampaboost ng confidence ng team na maniwala pa sa sarili namin pare-pareho, hindi namin dapat maliitin yung sarili namin kasi alam namin na may ibubuga kami every game and God’s grace talaga na nanalo kami kasi nung last games namin medyo pababa na talaga ‘yung kumpyansa namin. ,” said Nitura, who made her 32 points on 30 spikes and two blocks along with 10 digs and six receptions.
Mordi added nine points while Mayang Nuique chipped in eight points as well with the Lady Falcons also benefitting off the Lady Bulldogs’ 27 errors.
Adamson looks to stay in contention on Saturday when it clashes with Far Eastern University at the Big Dome.
Meanwhile, the Final Four-bound NU slipped to 9-2, absorbing its second loss in the last three games. Its first loss came at the hands of University of the Philippines.
Belen led five Lady Bulldogs in double figures with 19 points to go with 21 excellent receptions and nine digs, while Alinsug added 16 points.
Chams Maaya delivered 12 points despite not playing in the first set while Erin Pangilinan contributed 10 points.
Arah Panique, who replaced Solomon in the starters, produced 10 points as well.
The 6-foot-2 Solomon, who had 30 points last game against FEU, was sidelined due to a mild left ankle sprain.
NU looks to regain its winning ways on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena when it takes on winless University of the East.
