Shaina Nitura’s historic 38-point outburst ends in heartbreak as the UP Lady Maroons rediscover their winning form.
The UP Lady Maroons could only breathe a sigh of relief as they capped of Round 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament against rookie sensation Shaina Nitura and the Adamson Lady Falcons over the weekend at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Along with snapping their four-game losing skid, UP’s 25-15, 15-25, 24-26, 25-22, 15-10 escape saw them spoil Nitura’s historic 38-point outing, which surpassed Alyssa Valdez (Season 75) and Sisi Rondina’s (Season 81) respective 35 point outings with Ateneo and UST.
A huge team effort fueled UP’s role as the spoiler, led by the returning Niña Ytang with 20 points, followed by Set 5 hero Irah Jaboneta’s 19 markers, 12 excellent digs, and 11 excellent receptions. Senior Joan Monares added her own 15-point, 17-dig double-double, while rookie Kianne Olango also poured in 15 points in the five-set thriller.
“Siguro given na ‘yun si Nitura possible talaga can score that many points, even more pa depende sa close ng laro, no?,” head coach Benson Bocboc said as he tipped his hat off to the super rookie.
“Pero with the UP team, tulong-tulong talaga, kasi yun na binabantayan natin sa kanila pag may nawawala doon sa plano, binabalik lang natin sila kasi we need to work as a group talaga. Hindi pupwede isa-isa, so siguro doon sa kabila, alam naman natin siya talaga makakapatay kaya medyo naka-focus extra ‘yung defense sa kanya, pero lumulusot pa rin.”
With the loss, Shaina Nitura joined the heartbreaking trend of UAAP volleyball scoring records that have gone for naught. Valdez’s 35-pointer in Season 75 came in a 22-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-16, 10-15 loss to Adamson, while Rondina’s own scoring spree was from a 19-25, 22-25, 27-25, 25-22, 15-11 thriller against the Maddie Madayag-led Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Understandably, the super rookie took her time to process her emotions post-game, already having her head down during the routine singing of school hymns on the Taraflex. After all, Adamson had already taken a 2-1 set lead, before flaming out as the Lady Maroons sealed their escape in the Jaboneta-led decisive fifth set.
After the game ended at 4:12 p.m., Nitura and the rest of Adamson stayed for over an hour in the Araneta Coliseum dugout, before making their way to the team bus shortly before 6 p.m. on Sunday. The super rookie, though, respectfully declined to grant interviews supposedly under the instructions of equally-mum head coach JP Yude.
Whether it’s in the context of history or pure competitiveness, to say that it was heartbreaking is probably an understatement for the Falcons’ homegrown star.
Hopefully, it’s only a matter of time before another shot at history for Shaina Nitura will be accompanied by an even sweeter victory.
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.