Shaina Nitura, the Adamson Lady Falcons’ super rookie, played against the DLSU Lady Spikers for the first time in her collegiate career.
Despite Adamson’s weekend loss to the De La Salle Lady Spikers, super rookie Shaina Nitura still managed to make an impression in her first game against one of the UAAP’s most storied women’s volleyball programs.
The former juniors’ MVP poured in a team-high 16 points on Saturday in the Lady Falcons’ 21-25, 24-26, 20-25 loss against DLSU, with no less than legendary head coach Ramil De Jesus acknowledging the 20-year-old’s immense upside following the game.
“‘Yun nga sinasabi ko eh, ‘yung bata, bata pa talaga maglaro pero grabe ‘yung instinct, and nakita ko ‘yung court IQ niya sobrang taas,” De Jesus said during Saturday’s post-game press conference.
Nitura announced her UAAP seniors’ arrival with a historic 33-point outburst last February 16 against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, and already brings a stacked resume that includes a Most Valuable Player award and championship in the juniors’ ranks with the Adamson Lady Baby Falcons.
“And at the same time, ‘yung leadership niya is siguro pagdating ng sophomore or senior year nito, ibang klase na ‘tong bata na ‘to sobra,” added De Jesus, with Nitura assuming captaincy as a collegiate freshman.
Saturday’s game also marked the first meeting between Nitura and Angel Canino, who was the Rookie of the Year-MVP in DLSU’s Season 85 revenge tour. Like De Jesus, Canino was left in awe of Nitura’s talent, admitting how they struggled to prepare against her due to the high IQ and offensive arsenal that she brings.
“Sabi nga ni Coach Ramil is parang ang dami niyang variations talaga as a player and sobrang tapang ni Nitura na kahit sino ‘yung i-harap mo sa kanya, kaya niyang gawan ng paraan,” said Canino, who finished with 16 points and six excellent digs against the Lady Falcons.
“So I think pinahirapan niya rin kami, isa din siya sa mga pinrepare talaga namin coming into this game, and sobrang bilib din ako sa kanya kasi ang tapang din niya humarap sa kahit sino, and parang kung titignan mo siya, hindi siya parang rookie.”
Both DLSU and Adamson will return to action this February 26, with Shaina Nitura and the Lady Falcons looking to bounce back against the UE Lady Warriors. The Lady Spikers, meanwhile, will look to grab their second-straight win in a Final Four rematch against the UST Golden Tigresses.
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.