By MARK REY MONTEJO
Adamson rookie Shai Nitura is no doubt one of the most talented spikers to ever step on the UAAP women’s volleyball stage.
She established many firsts for Adamson and the league that she is now being compared to former Ateneo phenom Alyssa Valdez, what with her vast repertoire of power spikes.
Despite the glowing words, Nitura remained humble and straightforward.
She is of course happy and proud with her early success, but she would be happier if they continue winning as a team, saying her focus is to help bring the Lady Falcons to the Final Four.
“Hindi ko pa talaga sya nilalagay masyado sa utak ko at sa heart ko, kasi hindi iyon ang goal, ito ang goal manalo,” said Nitura moments after her 32-point explosion that powered Adamson to a 25-23, 15-25, 28-26, 25-22 stunner against reigning champion National University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday, April 6.
“Either way, ‘di man ako makapuntos basta manalo, ‘di man ako mapasok basta manalo, ‘yon talaga ang goal ng lahat,” she added.
Her splendid showing against the Alyssa Solomon-less Lady Bulldogs made the pride of Cainta, Rizal the first-ever rookie or a player to accomplish four 30-point games in a single edition in UAAP history.
Nitura had her first in her debut off 33 points in a five-set win over Ateneo last Feb. 16, then followed by a historic 38 points – a performance that shattered former collegiate stars Valdez and Sisi Rondina’s 35 apiece – in a losing effort versus UP on March 17.
The third time was with Adamson’s heartbreaking five-set defeat to University of Santo Tomas last Wednesday, April 2, where she scored 36.
The stunning victory over the Sherwin Meneses-mentored crew kept Adamson’s semis bid alive with a 4-7 mark, though, it was a tough way to go for coach JP Yude’s wards as NU (9-2), De La Salle University (8-3), UST (7-4), and Far Eastern University (7-4) have no plans of slowing down.
It was also a special moment for it was Adamson’s first win against NU since Season 81 or in 2019.
“Malaking boost sa confidence ng team na maniwala pa sa sarili namin kasi alam naman namin na may ibubuga kami sa every game namin,” Nitura continued.
“No’ng past games namin talaga pababa na ‘yong kumpiyansa namin… ‘yon nga sabi ni Lord tiwala lang at magpursigi lang kasi may paglalagyan naman ‘yon,” she added.
Already a cinch for the Rookie of the Year award, Nitura is happy to see the fruits of their hard work, sacrifices and patience.
With their kind of attitude, Nitura is convinced there is still a room for improvement for the while team,
“Young team, inconsistent pa… kailangan lang talaga maghinay-hinay tapos magalalayan at magtiwala lang,” Nitura stressed.
“Ang sinabi nalang po talaga namin sa sarili namin na [we have] nothing to lose, ano naman kung matalo kami? Pressure is not on us dapat sa kalaban namin, kasi wala na kaming hinahabol eh,” she added.
Adamson eyes to avert elimination this Saturday, April 12, when it battles fellow playoff-hopeful FEU, at the same venue.
