Just in her rookie season, team captain Shaina Nitura has already broke records after records – the most 30-point games in a single season, most points scored by a rookie, most points scored in a single-game, and the most points scored in a single season – that were previously held by UAAP legends Alyssa Valdez and Sisi Rondina.
However, despite her record-breaking performances, Nitura gave credit to her teammates, who helped her on and off the court.
“Actually, ‘yun ‘yung pinaka nagpu-fuel kasi parang ang sarap nilang kalaro, kakampi, at ang gaan. Alam ko kung ano ‘yung gusto ko, gusto rin nila, kaya mas smooth ‘yung takbo namin,” he said after their 14-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-22 surprise victory against the Final Four-seeking Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Saturday, April 12.
“Sobrang laking tulong na ma-boost pa at magpupursigi pa sa araw-araw na training na meron ako kasi nakikita kong mas gusto rin nila.”
All eyes have been on Nitura after she led the Adamson University Baby Falcons in the UAAP Season 96 Girls Volleyball Tournament to the school’s first gold medal. However, her journey in the seniors division was not what everyone expected it to be.
Nitura broke the scoring record in a single match when she exploded for 38 points in their game against the University of the Philippine Fighting Maroons. Unfortunately, despite her efforts, they still suffered a defeat in five sets.
After 11 days, Nitura delivered another outstanding performance, scoring 36 points in their five-set loss against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses.
After those losses, Nitura led the Lady Falcons into back-to-back victories against the defending champions, the National University Lady Bulldogs, and the Lady Tamaraws.
“Nakikita ko talaga ‘yung puso nila at ‘yung kapit nila na hindi nila tatapusin ito nang basta-basta. If they can finish it nang maganda, ‘yun talaga. Rinemind ko rin kasi sila kagabi na ‘yung season na ito, it will never be the same,” Nitura added.
“Next season, iba na kasi graduate na ‘yung mga ates namin. Kailangan talaga i-nourish namin ‘yung time na meron kami together. Good thing na meron na kaming history na babalikan namin kasama ‘yung mga ates namin.”
Despite her record-breaking performances, the Lady Falcons still failed to return to the Final Four. For that, Nitura said it was she who was accountable for that failure. Still, she looked forward to the future of their team with home.
She ended, “‘Yung pasensya talaga at ‘yung pagtitiwala at ‘yung pagbibigay ng confidence sa kasama ko. Hindi siya more on sa akin na individual na growth, it’s about how I handle ‘yung mga emotions ko sa team ko; kung paano ko mapapakita sa kanila, kung paano ko sila gigisingin, at kung paano ako makakatulong sa kanila. It’s more on the relationship ng team sa akin.”
“Parang kailangan ko i-push ‘yung sarili ko kasi nakikita ko na gusto nila. Hindi ako pwede mawala kasi ‘pag nawala ako, madadamay ko sila. I really have to push myself para magising ako. Hindi ko talaga siya ini-expect, wala naman akong ginawa na iba. ‘Yung mga teammates ko is mas na-feel ko na gusto nila, and mas gusto ko rin, so nagsabay. Ginusto talaga namin kaya nakakakuha kami ng panalo kasi mas gusto namin.”
The Lady Falcons will face the De La Salle University Lady Spikers on Wednesday, April 23, at 3 pm, before ending their UAAP Season 87 campaign against the Fighting Maroons on Sunday, April 27, at 1 pm.
