Super rookie Nitura optimistic on Adamson’s volleyball future

MANILA, Philippines — UAAP’s top rookie Shai Nitura is eyeing a better season next season — not just for her, but for the entire Adamson Lady Falcons squad. 

Nitura was crowned the UAAP Season 87 women’s Rookie of the Year on Wednesday, and deservedly so.

Nitura said that she and the team will work on getting better next season. 

“Ang mapa-promise namin is, ko, namin sa Adamson is, i-work on namin naman sa maging better kami compared to this season. Yung naman, siguro yung goal ng lahat ng team na maging better than the season na ngayon, for this coming season,” she told reporters after getting awarded the top rookie plum. 

“I think, dagdag kumpiyansa and confidence siya sa for this coming season po. Pero, yun nga. Back to zero pa rin so, trabaho ulit po,” she added.

The 20-year-old star showcased her explosive scoring throughout the season, scoring 371 total points.

This is more than 100 points — 107 points to be exact — higher than the second-placer, La Salle’s Angel Canino. 

She set the most points in the UAAP volleyball, both men’s and women’s, and recorded multiple 30-point games.

Still, it was not enough to tow the Lady Falcons to the Final Four. 

The Nitura-led Lady Falcons won six games this season, two more than the 4-10 slate they had in UAAP Season 86. They finished fifth in the standings. 

Nitura also thanked the Lord for her award and tipped her hat to her teammates and coaches.

“I feel so grateful and blessed po. Thank you, Lord, po talaga, kasi all of this is dahil sa Kanya and will niya. Thank you rin po sa mga teammates ko and sa mga coaches ko po na nag-help po na ma-achieve ko po yung mga things na na-achieve ko po ngayon.”