HEAD COACH: JP Yude
LAST SEASON: 3-11 (7th place)
HOLDOVERS: Barbie Jamili, Red Bascon, Ayesha Juegos, May Ann Nuique, Jen Villegas, Juris Manuel
SUBTRACTIONS: Lorene Toring, Ishie Lalongisip, Lucille Almonte, Angge Alcantara, Karen Verdeflor, AA Adolfo, Sharya Ancheta, Nikka Yandoc, Eloi Aljibe
ADDITIONS: Shaina Nitura (captain), Athea Aposaga, Trixie Demontaño, Kamille Dionisio, Eloisa Dote, Frances Mordi, Felicity Sagaysay, Bella Sapienza
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FROM Belen and Canino to Poyos and Dongallo, there hasn’t been a shortage of rookie sensations in UAAP women’s volleyball over the past few years.
Come Season 87, watch out for the next new kid on the San Marcelino block: Shaina Nitura.
Arguably the ‘next big thing’ in the college ranks is a 20-year-old, 5-foot-9 outside spiker set to spread her wings with an Adamson side out to turn its turbulent Season 86 flight around.
As the Lady Falcons have experienced in recent seasons, players come and go fast.
From the highs of a surprise Season 85 bronze medal, an equally surprising player exodus followed — one that saw then-rising stars Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, Louie Romero, Ckyle Tagsip, and Cae Lazo all take their talents to the PVL.
By the end of a lackluster seventh-place Season 86 run, one where they only had three wins, even more players departed their home nest en route to the pros.
The inaugural PVL rookie class had Adamson written all over it, as Ishie Lalongisip, Lucille Almonte, Angge Alcantara, Karen Verdeflor, AA Adolfo, Sharya Ancheta, and Nikka Yandoc were all drafted.
Former captain Lorene Toring, meanwhile, forewent her final UAAP year after a pre-season ACL tear prompted her to sign with Farm Fresh before the draft was instated.
Unfortunately, the white-and-blue has lost more than it has gained.
With an undeniable superstar in the making in Nitura, though, the dark days may very well be over.
Shining Shaina, bet on it
Nitura carries a sporting resume not many young aces would have at such an early point in their brewing careers.
For starters, the Cainta-born spiker completed a quadruple of top individual nods in the Season 86 girls’ tournament where the Baby Lady Falcons completed a 14-game sweep: MVP, Finals MVP, best outside spiker, and Athlete of the Year.
Even more, she claimed a silver medal and a best outside spiker plum from the season prior as well.
Also under her belt are an MVP award and a championship in the 2024 Shakey's Girls Volleyball Invitational League.
The Nitura-led UAAP juniors’ title was Adamson’s first in school history. Can she, along with sophomore spiker Barbie Jamili, second-year head coach JP Yude, and the rest of the Lady Falcons repeat history in the college ranks?
We won't be shy at all in betting on Shaina.
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