BY Andrei Barrantes
TO open the second round of UAAP Season 87, Adamson asserted its mastery of the University of the East to arrest a four-game skid.
Super rookie Shaina Nitura (18 points, 17 attacks) and running mate Fhei Sagaysay (two points, 14 excellent sets) showcased their skills, but more Lady Falcons also came to play.
READ: Nitura support finally comes through in Adamson sweep of UE
In particular, it was a sight to see white-and-blue veterans to finally answer the call, led by Mayang Nuique.
The converted opposite hitter chipped in 11 points with two aces and a block, her best performance thus far this season - just in time for Adamson to re-ignite the flames of its playoff hopes.
While embracing her role hasn't been easy, especially with the added responsibility of being a senior, Nuique wasn't discouraged from slowly but surely getting back to her comfort zone.
As she said, “Since senior kasi ako, yung responsibility ko po, hindi ko siya nayakap agad. Hindi naman burden, [pero] natakot ako na baka hindi ko magampanan yung responsibilidad na binigay sakin."
"Sa bagong position ko and then sa pagiging senior ko. Pero sa pa- uusap namin, may tiwala naman sila sa amin ni Jen [Villegas].”
At the same time, as she took on the challenge of switching over to opposite, her heart still clung to the middle of the net.
Fortunately, Lady Falcons mentor JP Yude had just the right words to do the trick.
“Kasi nung first round, kaya ko naman maging opposite, pero parang nakikita kong need ng team is middle talaga. Feeling ko naging gap siya... Parang yun lang naiisip ko,” she said.
“Tapos ngayon na nag-second round, kinausap ako ni coach Yude na kaya ko naman maging opposite, yakapin ko lang kung anong meron ako whole-heartedly tapos magre-reflect na ‘yun sa lahat ng gagawin ko.”
While converting to a different position may be a leap of faith for other players, Nuique actually has valuable experience of having already done so before.
Since kicking off her collegiate career as an opposite hitter, Nuique slid to middle blocker in her sophomore season under then-coach Jerry Yee. After staying there for another year, she was then sent back to the wing for her final go-round.
Mayang bukas pa
Still, it took time for her adjustment period, an entire round in fact, leading to her playing cautious volleyball.
Now, though, Nuiqie believes she is all-in and can go all-out as Adamson's opposite.
“Kanina, after ng game, sinabi ko po sa kanya (Villegas), ‘Masarap pala sa pakiramdam na lahat binibigay mo tapos wala kang regrets.’ Tapos nag-agree kami na what if ibigay na lang talaga namin yung best namin every game," she said.
"Kasi noong first round, sobrang pigil kami kasi takot kami magkamali, pero 'pag wala nang iniisip tapos yung tiwala na lang nandun, ang gaan.”
Now that her acceptance of her role and status as a senior have resulted in a breakout performance, she hopes to continue giving quality time to the Lady Falcons and their faithful.
“Ngayon, naiisip ko lang is yung responsibility ko para maka-help ako sa team kasi si Shai ang nagsabi na isipin muna namin yung responsibilities namin individually, mas magre-reflect yun sa buong team,” she added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
