IT was a bittersweet beginning of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball stepladder for Adamson, as its triumphant return to the playoffs swiftly ended with a straight-set defeat to University of Santo Tomas.
As always, front and center in that result is skipper Shai Nitura, who will still be the first-ever Lady Falcon-turned-MVP.
In the same light, the sophomore superstar will also be the first top individual player since National U's Jaja Santiago to miss the team podium.
Make no mistake, though, shot-caller JP Yude believes his prized ward will come back from this setback stronger, wiser, and hungrier than ever.
“For me, ang masasabi ko lang is they will always keep [being] hungry for more,” he declared. “Kasi I don't want them na mag-stay lang na, ‘Ok nang MVP na ako.’ So for me, maging hungry pa sila for more, lalo't siyempre, hindi lang individual award yung ginugusto natin.”
“I want her to grow more. Kasi I know naman na si Shai, hindi yun matitigil hangga't hindi mag-champion yun siya.”
Indeed, despite the stinging straight-sets loss where she was shackled to just 13 points, Nitura held her head high, while also continuing to lead her up-and-coming side.
“Pagtapos din naman ng game, si Shaina nagsalita sa mga kasama niya na, ‘Be proud pa rin tayo and magkaroon tayo ng pride, because after three years, nakapasok ulit ng Final Four,’" shared Yude.
Soar for more
As the Lady Falcons bowed out of contention well short of the most important trophy, the verdict on them has become clear: even with MVP Nitura, Best Setter Fhei Sagaysay, and Frances Mordi turning in spectacular seasons, they were just too inexperienced to win it all just yet.
READ: Shaina, Adamson bound to go deeper after getting feet wet in postseason play
Now they have gotten their feet wet in terms of postseason play, however, Yude keeps seeing a bright - even blinding - future in San Marcelino.
Because if Nitura and Adamson can make it to the third seed in one of the most tightly-contested playoff races in recent history, just imagine the greater heights coming after they process all their lessons from this exit and put them into practice.
“Maraming pa talagang tatrabahuin na aspect: skills, attitude, character during the tough times, especially. Kasi doon talaga masasubok eh, on how she leads the team and her teammates. Hindi naman namin binibigay lahat ng pasanin sa kanya, pero siyempre, doon namin siya inaasahan,” he said.
“Yun yung attitude niya, she is continuing kahit ma-fall down man kami. Yung hope niya pa rin sa mga susunod na years to come is yung championship talaga.”
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