Even her foes are left in awe of Adamson super rookie Shaina Nitura after she fired 16 points in a loss to La Salle in UAAP Season 87.
DLSU Lady Spikers head coach Ramil de Jesus and Angel Canino had only good words for emerging rookie Shaina Nitura after they drubbed her Adamson Lady Falcons in straight sets in UAAP Season 87 on Saturday.
After introducing herself to the UAAP with a rookie record 33 points during opening weekend, Nitura followed it up with a 16-point outing for Adamson, albeit in a three-set loss to La Salle.
[RELATED: Ramil De Jesus glad to see La Salle regain identity and confidence in sweep of Adamson]
Especially in the second set, as La Salle won, 25-21, 26-24, 25-20, De Jesus and Canino could tell just how good Nitura could be.
After the game, veteran and multi-titled coach De Jesus spoke about how rare a talent Nitura is.
“Yung bata, bata pa talaga pero grabe maglaro. Grabe ‘yung instinct, makikita mo ‘yung court IQ niya sobrang taas,” said De Jesus said of Shaina.
“At the same time, ‘yung leadership niya talagang siguro pagdating ng sophomore or junior year nito ibang klase na ‘tong batang ‘to sobra,” he added.
Meanwhile, Canino, who was a rookie sensation in her own right during her first year in the league back in UAAP Season 85, said that it was difficult to go against a player like Nitura.
“Actually, pinahirapan kami niyan sa preparations pa lang, pinahirapan niya kami kasi sabi nga ni coach Ramil, ang dami niyang variations as a player and sobrang tapang ni Nitura na kahit sino iharap mo, kaya niyang gawan ng paraan,” said Canino, who ended up with 15 points in La Salle’s breakthrough win.
“I think pinahirapan niya rin kami kaya isa siya sa mga prinepare talaga coming into this game. Sobrang believe rin ako sa kanya kasi ang tapang niya talaga humarap sa kahit na sino na parang bang hindi siya rookie,” she added.
[RELATED: Angel Canino, La Salle repulse Shaina Nitura’s Adamson for first win in UAAP Season 87]
Though it remains to be seen just how far Nitura and Adamson go, at least for this season, it is always a good sign to have your foes — especially if it’s a championship team like La Salle — notice your skills and acknowledge you as a threat.
With the recent rise of super rookies since UAAP Season 84, Nitura has the potential to be the next big thing in the collegiate league.
All it takes will be consistency and a good showing for the Lady Falcons for the rest of the season.