Rookies Shaina Nitura of the Adamson University Lady Falcons and Amet Bituin of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws earned the Players of the Week plum before the Easter break of the UAAP Season 87 Volleyball Tournaments.
Nitura broke the record held by UAAP legend Alyssa Valdez when she scored 37 points in Adamson’s upset 14-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-22 victory against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, April 12.
She had 31 attack points, five blocks, and an ace to break the most points scored in a single season with 314 points. Valdez held the record when she scored 312 points in Season 77.
Meanwhile, Amet Bituin was the top scorer of the Tamaraws when they defeated the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 25-16, 25-16, 25-22, on Saturday, April 12. Bituin recorded nine attacks, three blocks, and an ace.
Before that game, Bituin had 17 points in his first game as a starter when the Tamaraws defeated the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, 25-23, on Wednesday, April 9.
Here’s how the two players of the week played in their respective matchups.
Nitura’s record-breaking performance against FEU Lady Tamaraws
Shaina Nitura broke the record previously held by UAAP Legend Alyssa Valdez when she scored 37 points in Adamson’s upset 14-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-22 victory against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.
With two games to be played, Nitura also scored 314 points this season, surpassing the record of Valdez’s 312 points in UAAP Season 77. Nitura also led the Adamson to its first-ever back-to-back wins this season against Final Four contenders National University Lady Bulldogs and the Tamaraws.
Nitura bested the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons Kassy Doering and Joan Monares, National University Lady Bulldogs team captain Bella Belen, and University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigress Kyla Cordor for the weekly honor given by the Collegiate Press Corps.
“If I would reflect sa napagdaanan ng team, I’m very happy at very thankful kasi sobrang laking tulong nito for our upcoming seasons. Grateful ako na kahit hindi kami makakapasok sa Final Four, pero ‘yung learnings na makukuha namin, sobrang laking foundation nito for us. Very grateful pero hindi pa tapos,” she said.
The Lady Falcons will next face the De La Salle University Lady Spikers on Wednesday, April 23, before ending their season against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Sunday, April 27.
Bituin’s back-to-back performance against Adamson, Ateneo
Amet Bituin was a decorated player when he was with the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws in high school, and he’s slowly but surely showing people he’s ready to take over once the seniors graduate.
In the Tamaraws’ 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, 25-23 victory against the Ateneo de Manila University, Bituin recorded his season-high 16 points and a block, with nine excellent receives and three excellent digs in his first-ever start for the team.
A few days later, Bituin scored 13 points in nine attacks, three blocks, and an ace with seven excellent receives and two excellent digs in the Tamaraws’ 25-16, 25-16, 25-22 victory against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons.
With the Player of the Week commendation, Bituin bested his teammate Lirick Mendoza, National University Bulldogs Leo Ordiales and Obed Mukaba, University of Santo Tomas Golden Spiker Popoy Colinares, and De La Salle University ace player Noel Kampton.
With their back-to-back victories, the Tamaraws continue their momentum to the Final Four, where they hold a twice-to-beat advantage.
“Para sa akin, sobrang nag-e-enjoy ako sa journey ngayon and sobrang sarap ng pakiramdam na ‘yung napuntahan kong school for college ay sobrang ganda ng samahan at ng suporta hanggang sa program, kaya nag-e-enjoy ako nang sobra-sobra,” Bituin was quoted as saying by Tiebreaker Times.
“Kami kasi bago gawin ‘yung isang bagay, mine-makesure ni coach na inaaral muna namin. Sa training pa lang, sinabihan na ako ni Coach [Eddieson Orcullo] and pina-start na ako sa training pa lang. Lahat ng start sa akin, planado kaya pulido rin ‘yung naging resulta.”
The Tamaraws will finish their elimination games against the De La Salle University Green Spikers on Saturday, April 26.
