Ace rookie Shaina Nitura has undergone a lot of growth in UAAP Season 87 for the Adamson Lady Falcons — but not in the way most people imagine.
Shaina Nitura is just 12 games into her UAAP career, and she has already made her mark multiple times in the league’s history books--breaking records time and time again with her bid to lead the Adamson Lady Falcons.
With two games remaining in her rookie year, Nitura is the proud owner of a whopping four records in the UAAP — rookie scoring record, all-time scoring record in a single game, all-time scoring record in a single season, and the most 30-point games in a year.
[ALSO READ: Record breaker: Shaina Nitura’s historic stats for Adamson in UAAP Season 87]
Talking about growth since she made her rookie debut with a 33-point explosion in a five-set reverse sweep of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Nitura said she focused more on improving her mental focus rather than physical prowess during the year.
As evidenced by her calmer demeanor on the taraflex, Nitura has since grown out of her frustration and into a more positive mindset.
“'Yung pasensya [ko] talaga ['yung nag-grow]. 'Yung pasensya, 'yung pagtitiwala, at pagbibigay ng confidence sa mga kasama ko. Hindi siya more on sa akin eh, na individual ko na growth,” NItura said after firing 37 points in a 4-set win over the FEU Lady Tamaraws over the weekend.
“It’s about how I handle my emotions sa team ko.”
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Record-breaking Shaina Nitura of Adamson, Amet Bituin of FEU star as this week’s best]
At the end of the first round, NItura had just broken the single-game scoring record with 38 points in a five-set loss to the UP Fighting Maroons.
After fighting tooth and nail, it was still not enough for the victory, and the freshman was visibly frustrated as both sides were singing their school hymns.
But after that crucial point, Nitura was able to address how she handled her mindset and continued on to push herself — and her teammates — in a way that would make their school proud. That is, it has always been about representing Adamson with pride.
“[Nagbago] kung paano ko maipapakita sa kanila na, paano ko sila gigisingin, at paano ako makakatulong sa kanila,” said Nitura.
“It’s more on the relationship ng team sa akin ['yung nag-grow],” she continued.
If anything, the emotional growth proved to be a huge factor for Nitura, who has since gone on a tear — including three straight 30-point games, two of which ended up in big wins for the Lady Falcons against contenders NU Lady Bulldogs and FEU.
Already out of contention for the Final Four, Nitura and the rest of the Lady Falcons are raring to keep things going despite everything.
They have two games to go and Nitura is just about ready to give it her all.
“Mas nafi-feel ko na mas gustong manalo [na] ng teammates ko. Na gusto talaga nilang ibigay ang best sa remaining games ng team. Nakikita ko 'yung puso nila and kapit na hindi nila tatapusin nang basta-basta. If they could finish ng maganda,” said Nitura.
[ALSO READ: Shaina Nitura fueled by Adamson teammates in breaking UAAP season scoring record]
“Again, I reminded them rin sila kagabi na 'Alam niyo, yung season na 'to, and 'yung mga nakapaligid sa team na will never be the same.' Next season, iba na. Kasi ga-graduate na 'yung mga ate namin. So, kailangan namin i-nourish talaga ang time na mayroon kami. Good thing, mayroon na naman kaming history na babalikan na kasama ['yung] mga ate namin,” she added.
Adamson returns to action against a wounded La Salle side right after the Holy Week break on Wednesday, April 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
They then play their last match of the season against an equally determined UP Fighting Maroons squad, who at the moment, is still in contention for the Final Four.