AND still, Shaina Nitura and Fhei Sagaysay are bringing prestige to Adamson, only this time, on a much grander stage.
Nitura’s MVP plum and Sagaysay’s best setter nod in UAAP Season 88 did more than recognize two of the league’s brightest stars, they also reinforced the Lady Falcons' emergence as a serious force in the sport.
The fact that San Marcelino finally has an MVP plus a best setter for a first time is validation that the program it has painstakingly built over the years is now capable of producing not only elite talents, but legitimate winners, too.
The last time the longtime running mates copped both major individual honors was back in Season 86 of the girls’ division, when they also powered Adamson to a historic high school championship.
Now, they have carried that pedigree into the collegiate ranks.
“This only means na capable talaga kami mag-finals kasi meron kaming Fhei, and meron kaming other players na magpu-push through sa upcoming seasons namin,” Nitura said after officially hoisting her top individual trophy.
Their latest recognition comes on the heels of the Lady Falcons' Final Four breakthrough, a campaign that signaled their arrival in the top tier of competition alongside La Salle, National U, and University of Santo Tomas.
READ: Yude on Nitura: 'Hindi yun matitigil hangga't hindi mag-champion'
This upward trajectory is all thanks to the kind of culture the white-and-blue has built around its players since Day 1.
“Binigyan nila kami ng hindi lang basta tungkol sa pera, sa dorm, sa pag-aaral, kun'di puso sa paglalaro at puso para ipaglaban ‘yung Adamson at Adamson community. It’s more than whatever we have now,” Nitura said.
Shai and Fhei, all the way
With both awardees expected to come back as cornerstones next year, the Lady Falcons suddenly have continuity, leadership, and belief all lining up at the same time.
“We’re gonna be seniors, sooner or later. ‘Yun ‘yung pinagfo-focusan namin na ‘yung mga darating na players sa amin, talagang papahalagahan namin,” she said.
“Hindi lang ‘yung coaching staff ‘yung magbibigay ng halaga sa kanila, kami rin as players, as captain, as leaders, ibibigay namin ‘yung positive environment, but still competitive.”
From being known as a breeding ground for top prospects, Adamson now wants to evolve into something greater: a home not just for stars, but for champions, too.
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