Adamson’s Shaina Nitura sets record but falls short against UP

Rookie sensation Shaina Nitura made history with a record-breaking 38-point performance, but Adamson still fell short in a grueling five-set loss to the University of the Philippines (UP) in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday, March 16.

Despite Nitura’s dominant display of 35 kills and three aces, the Lady Falcons suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, closing the first round with a tough 15-25, 25-15, 26-24, 22-25, 10-15 loss.  

Her scoring feat surpassed the previous UAAP record of 35 points held by Ateneo de Manila University’s Alyssa Valdez (Season 75, 2013) and University of Santo Tomas’s Sisi Rondina (Season 81, 2019). 

However, the disappointment was evident as the 20-year-old Adamson star remained in the dugout for hours after the match and declined media interviews, with head coach JP Yude also refusing to speak.  

Nitura, who also tallied 15 excellent receptions, had already cemented her place in Adamson history by tying Angela Bengting’s 33-point school record in her debut against Ateneo last month.

UP countered Nitura’s record-setting with a well-rounded offensive effort. 

Niña Ytang led the Fighting Maroons with 20 points, while Irah Jaboneta added 19. Kianne Olango and Joan Monares contributed 15 markers each, helping UP secure the victory and spoil Nitura’s historic performance.

“It’s really our goal to win, like I’ve said in past interviews, it’s always about teamwork. We wouldn’t win if we were just on our own; we have to always help each other. It feels great that we won because all the hard work we put in during training paid off, and of course, with the help of our coaches, teammates, and management to make this win possible,” said Monares in Filipino.

With the win, the Fighting Maroons improved to 3-4, just one game behind fourth-seeded Far Eastern University (4-3) in the race for a Final Four spot, while the Lady Falcons fell to a 2-5 record, tying Ateneo for sixth place.