Shaina Nitura wasted no time introducing herself for Adamson, scoring a rookie record of 33 points as the Lady Falcons get a winning start to UAAP Season 87.
Promising rookie Shaina Nitura lived up to the hype as she scored a rookie record 33 points to help the Adamson Lady Falcons achieve a reverse sweep of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 21-25, 20-25, 25-12, 25-15, 15-12, to start UAAP Season 87 at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
Nitura, among the most anticipated rookies for the year, shattered the previous record set by Angge Poyos, who recorded 31 points in a game for UST last season.
After finding themselves pinned to the wall with a 0-2 set deficit against the Blue Eagles, Frances Mordi stepped up to the plate, leading the Lady Falcons to a lopsided set 3 win, 25-12.
With the momentum on their side, the Lady Falcons kept pushing while Nitura began to find her rhythm as well — especially in the winner-take-all fifth set.
Nitura scored Adamson’s first three points in the decider, but also stepped up in the endgame when she scored back-to-back hits to bring the Lady Falcons to match point, 14-11.
Mordi provided the finishing blow as she backstopped Nitura’s eight points in the game-clinching canto.
Adamson thus begins the season strong, while the Blue Eagles reel with the stinging loss and an apparent leg injury to Geezel Tsunashima late in the 5th set.
Tsunashima was landing from a block attempt when she injured her left leg and got stretchered off of the court. At that point, the Lady Falcons were ahead, 11-9, against the Blue Eagles.