By MARK REY MONTEJO
Ending its Season 87 campaign at fifth spot with a 6-8 record, Adamson has eclipsed its record last year, and with the rise of super rookie Shai Nitura, expect a much better, fiercer Lady Falcons in the future.
The San Marcelino-based squad made waves in the latter part of the women’s volleyball tournament, winning three of its last four games to climb up in the standings, enough to erase the stigma of the team’s disappointing 3-11 mark in Season 86.
And the 20-year-old Nitura, who produced several firsts, and her teammates knew that the great things are just getting started as they look forward to a brighter future for the team.
“Sabi nga ni Ate Mayang [Nuique], ‘di ‘to ‘yong last, this the beginning for another season,” said Nitura who led Adamson to a 25-13, 25-21, 25-18 season-ending win over University of the Philippines Sunday, April 27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“‘Di ko po talaga ma-describe, God’s will, ‘yon din po talaga, lahat ng nangyari is will Nya,” Nitura continued. “Ang goal ko lang talaga ngayon is manalo… and gusto kolang mag-enjoy with team.”
Last edition, Adamson settled only for seventh place – a far cry from its third-place finish in the prior season.
And then there’s JP Yude, who is serving as Adamson head coach for two years, guiding a bevy of rising stars in Nitura, Frances Mordi, and Fhei Sagaysay who were showing promise in their respective games.
Yude gears up for next season, underscoring his goal of making the Lady Falcons a powerhouse, knowing he has young, promising gunners in his current roster.
“Kailangan pa naming pulido do’n sa training ground, so pagdating ng totoong laban they are really equipped na lumaban ng todo, magra-rise pa’yong level ng Adamson,” said Yude.
“Hindi lang kami [gaya] ng dati ng ‘Adamson lang ‘yan’, diba [dapat] ay Adamson ‘yan dapat paghandaan natin’, pero kailangan pa naming patunayan at pagtrabahuhan… so I always remind them na stay humble all the time,” he added.
Mayang Nuquie, the team’s veteran who is bidding her farewell to Adamson, stressed her trust to their rookies who displayed great character despite being neophytes in the collegiate ranks.
“Grabe po kasi ‘yong pinakita ng bawat isa this season, nandyaan po ‘yong tiwala namin sa kanila, kilala namin sila since last year pa, nakita namin kung gaano sila katapang at ka-passionate sa ginagawa nila,” said Nuique.
“‘Di kami parang nagwo-worry kung bababa ‘yong record, tiwa lang kami sa kanila,” she added.
Her 371-point feat for a single season, not to mention her other achievements, would serve as their inspiration to soar higher and mightier like a true falcon.
