Adamson University Lady Falcons rookie captain Shaina Nitura met the fans’ expectations as she made her collegiate debut in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.

Against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, Nitura led her team with 33 points built on 28 attacks, four blocks, one ace, seven excellent receptions, and five excellent digs as they reverse swept the Lady Eagles, 21-25, 20-25, 25-12, 25-15, 15-12. For the latest updates on the tournament, including the full schedule, standings, and results, check out our page on UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball: Schedule, Standings, Results.

Aside from Nitura’s record-breaking performance, here are the things you missed on the opening weekend of the UAAP Volleyball Tournament.

33

In her UAAP collegiate volleyball debut, Shaina Nitura broke records with her 33-point output in Adamson’s 21-25, 20-25, 25-12, 25-15, 15-12 reverse sweep win over the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles.

Nitura broke the record of the highest point scored by a rookie, previously held by UST’s Angge Poyos, who scored 31 points in three games last season. Nitura also tied the record by the legendary Angela Benting as the highest-scoring output of a Lady Falcon.

Nitura was all over the stat sheet with her 28 attacks, four blocks, one ace, seven excellent receptions, and five excellent digs.

“Personally po, hindi naman po ako naglo-look forward for records. Bonus na lang po ‘yung, thankful po, siyempre, praise the Lord, pero hindi pa naman po tapos ‘yung season. We want more for the team, not individually, but for the team,” she said after the match.

Nitura and the Lady Falcons will next face the De La Salle University Lady Spikers on Saturday, February 22, at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan. 

3-0

The defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs made quick work of De La Salle University with a straight-set sweep, 25-23, 25-21, 25-18, as they gunned for a back-to-back championship this Season 87.

The graduating core of Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Lams Lamina, Erin Pangilinan, and Sheena Toring combined for 36 points. The young guns of Kaye Bombita, Celine Marsh, Alexa Mata, Vange Alinsug, and Arah Panique showed they were ready to take over the team when the graduating class leave, combining for 21 points.

The victory was also a sweet comeback for Lady Bulldogs head coach Sherwin Menses, who returned to the UAAP after eight years. Solomon, a two-time Best Opposite Spiker and Finals MVP, credited their new shows for their growth.

“Confident ako kasi pare-parehas lang naman kami ng tine-training, so it’s up to them na kung paano sila magki-keep up sa skills, lalo na pare-parehas na pinapagawa si Coach Sherwin so dapat same-same lang kami. Once may linabas, dapat same lang sila ng galaw,” Solomon said.

The Lady Bulldogs will face the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Wednesday, February 19, at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.

13

For the first time in 13 years, De La Salle Lady Spikers head coach Ramil De Jesus suffered a defeat in their opening match, falling short against the defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs, 25-23, 25-21, 25-18.

The last time the 12-time champions lost their opening match in the UAAP happened way back on December 2, 2012, when the team led by Aby Maraño, Michele Gumabao, Ara Galang, and Mika Reyes suffered a five-set defeat at the hands of the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, then led by Judy Caballejo, Maika Ortiz, and Carmela Tunay.

“Sabi ko nga sa mga bata, first time kong matalo (ulit) sa opening game sa 28 years ko sa UAAP. Sabi ko, sa batch niyo pa nangyari. Medyo masakit pero siyempre, kailangan din intindihin mo ‘yung side ng mga bata. Mahirap ‘yun, alam naman natin na lahat gustong manalo, e, siguro mas gusto lang manalo ng NU kanina,” De Jesus said after the game.

The Lady Spikers will next face the Adamson University Lady Falcons on Saturday, February 22, at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan. 

6

Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws middle blocker Jaz Ellarina recorded six points in her team’s 25-19, 16-25, 25-14, 25-20 victory over last season’s finalists the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, but three of those points came in the crucial stretch of the match.

Ellarina, who once played for the National University Lady Bulldogs as an opposite hitter, only played in the third and fourth set, but she took advantage of the fact that she transitioned to a middle blocker to guard the net.

Tied 19-all in the fourth set, Ellarina scored three points in the Lady Tamaraws’ 4-1 run to have a breather, 23-20, that led to back-to-back errors from Golden Tigresses Marga Altea and Reg Jurado.

“‘Yung journey ko kasi, hindi rin naging madali kasi ‘yung transition ko from opposite [spiker] to middle [blocker]. Naging madali lang siya kasi, at paulit-ulit ko sasabihin, dahil sa tiwala na binigay sa akin dito sa team na ito, mas napadali niya ‘yung transition ko from NU as an opposite spiker tapos dito [sa FEU] as middle blocker,” Ellarina said after the game.

The Lady Tamaraws will next face the University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, February 19, at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.

15

Throughout the game, University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons prized rookie Kianne Olango slowly but surely shook rookie jitters to score 15 points in the team’s hard-fought, 25-18. 26-24. 24-26. 13-25. 15-13, victory over the University of the East Lady Red Warriors.

Olango, an accomplished standout from the National University Nazareth School, was the Season 85 MVP, and two-time Best Opposite Hitter. Despite an impressive collegiate debut, Olango admitted her team still has room for improvement, after almost giving the game to UE after a two-set lead.

“Sa first game ko po, talagang naramdaman ko ‘yung kaba kasi iba ‘yung venue na ganito kalaki tapos maraming audience. Siguro sa mga next games, kailangan ko pong maging matapang at matalino. Siguro ‘yung ano talaga, ‘yung pagiging matapang and pagbawi. Siyempre, na-off talaga ako kanina kasi puro block. I have to work again tomorrow sa training,” she said after the game.

The Lady Fighting Maroons will next face the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Wednesday, February 19, at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.