Adamson University prized rookie Shaina Nitura in her Lady Falcons debut in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Adamson University Shaina Nitura has given her squad a clearer sense of direction as they enter a new chapter of Lady Falcons volleyball.

The San Marcelino-based spikers made a statement in their UAAP Season 87 debut on Sunday as they completed a reverse sweep of Ateneo de Manila University, and at the forefront of that was no other than Adamson U’s super rookie.

READ: Shaina Nitura debuts with 33 as Adamson completes reverse sweep vs. Ateneo

“Nung una talaga, very stiff po ako,” admitted the 20-year-old after the game. “May first game jitters as a rookie. Mahirap siya kasi kanina, pero ni-relax ko lang yung first and second set ko kasi I have to be composed pero hindi maganda yung timpla ng pagka-relax ko.”

Ateneo was on the verge of a sweep as they led Adamson two sets to none, but fortunately for the Lady Falcons, this was when Season 86 high school volleyball and Finals MVP found her footing.

“Ni-remind ako ni coach [JP Yude] na kailangan ko i-timpla yung ginagawa ko and so, in a way, ginising ko rin yung teammates ko,” said the Cainta, Rizal native. “Hindi naman pwedeng hindi ako magsalita. Down na kami ng two sets, and ayaw pa namin gumalaw, so I talked to them na. Pampagising, and gumana naman po”

Nitura went on to rally the Lady Falcons to their five-set victory, and in doing so, broke the league’s record for the most points scored by a rookie with 33.

However, she downplayed the feat. Shaina instead emphasized how helping turn Adamson’s program into one of the contenders in the UAAP is her main goal, much like how she towed their high school squad to a championship.

“We want more for the team, not individually, but for the team,” she insisted. “Dahil nakatikim kami ng isang panalo, I think we’re gonna be hungry for more.”

“Personally po, hindi naman po ako naglo-look forward for [records]. Bonus na lang po yun kung sakaling magkaroon. Thankful po, syempre, praise the Lord, pero hindi pa naman po tapos yung season.”

It would be a daunting task for Nitura to help Adamson soar back into contender status, especially since they are coming off Season 86 wherein they only tallied three wins in 14 outings.

Despite these challenges, Nitura — who belongs to a family of athletes that includes Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Judiel Nitura and Mapua University’s Cyrus Nitura — believes she is prepared to help make AdU’s goals a reality even if she is still only in her rookie year.

“Talagang finorsee ko na lahat ng hirap at challenges na pwedeng mangyari,” she said. “Ibang level na po ito para sa akin, pero hindi naman na po ako naninibago.”

”Sinanay na ako nila coach at ng mga tao sa paligid ko, so pinipilit ko na yung mga teammates ko na mag step up as well. Pag nag step up ako and they also step up, it will be harder for us to lose.”

”So ‘di naman na siya bago sa akin. Pag may ganyan kang talent, bigger responsibility ang meron ka, so ready ako,” added Nitura, who started playing the sport since she was in Grade 3.