Shaina Nitura led Adamson University to its second consecutive victory in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, securing a thrilling five-set win, 25-22, 25-21, 17-25, 22-25, 15-11, to close the day’s action on Tuesday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
Fresh from her stint with Alas Pilipinas in the two legs of the SEA V.League, the sophomore outside hitter made a rousing V-League debut, scoring 28 points on 27 attacks and one block. Her performance helped the Lady Falcons tie for the lead with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, which earlier defeated Letran in four sets, 25-15, 25-15, 20-25, 25-20.
Nitura contributed five of those crucial points in the deciding set, pushing Adamson to a 23-20 lead before an unreturned ball by libero Althea Aposaga and a quick attack from Lhouriz Tuddao sealed the match, which lasted two hours and 19 minutes.
“Siguro ang naging problema talaga is ‘yung passing namin. Kasi maganda naman nung first hanggang 15; though nalayuan na lang kami ‘nung pagdating ng 17,” said head coach JP Yude. “Hindi kami maka-atake do’n sa third set na ‘yon pero it was a good challenge rin for us.
“Nag-start kami na new and dito naman kami nag-ge-gain ng confidence, nagbu-boost ng morale nila, and dito talaga nate-test ‘yung character nila.”
Boosted by the return of their captain, Nitura, the Lady Falcons surged ahead early in the opening set but encountered resistance from the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the second.
Down 10-16, FEU’s Jaz Ellarina and Faida Bakanke used their height advantage and timing to block several attacks—mostly from Nitura and Frances Mordi—and even took the lead at 18-17. However, errors late in the set made it difficult for FEU to maintain the lead, allowing Adamson to take a 2-0 set advantage.
The Lady Tamaraws channeled their failed comeback in the second set to fuel their run in the third set and eventually prevailed in a hard-fought fourth set, forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the final set, however, Nitura and Adamson refused to be denied. They found their rhythm, aided by the chemistry of several players who came up through the team’s high school program.
Mordi remained solid for the Lady Falcons for the second straight game, finishing with 15 points on 12 attacks, two blocks, and one service ace, while middle blockers Tuddao and MG Del Moral contributed eight points each.
Adamson (2-0) will face Benilde in an early clash of tournament leaders on Sunday at noon, again at the Paco Arena.
For FEU, Gerzel Petallo led the charge with 18 points, 17 of which came from attacks. Ellarina, making her preseason debut, finished with 16 points, including seven from blocks.
FEU (1-1) will aim to bounce back against Letran (0-1) earlier that day at 10 a.m.
