Adamson University’s Shaina Nitura. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Adamson University’s future in UAAP women’s volleyball is as bright as it could get, thanks in large part to prolific open spiker Shaina Nitura.

Despite falling short of reaching the Season 87 Final 4, with the Lady Falcons settling for fifth place due to their 6-8 record, the San Marcelino-based spikers will have everything to look forward to in the coming years.

Aside from the three-game improvement that Adamson U showed this year, they can rely on a more well-adjusted Nitura come Season 88 -- after a record-breaking campaign in her rookie season.

READ: Nitura sets another record as Adamson ends season with sweep of UP

This season’s Rookie of the Year frontrunner previously broke the league’s most points scored in a single game with 38, set the most 30-point games in a single season with six, and reset the record for most points scored by a rookie in her very first UAAP game with 33.

She also reset their division’s single-season record, Alyssa Valdez’s 312, and on Sunday, she shattered the UAAP’s record — both men’s and women’s — of most points scored by an individual with 371, surging past University of Santo Tomas product Mark Alfafara’s 344.

For Adamson head coach JP Yude, however, there is a bigger reason outside of talent that makes Nitura is as great as she is.

“Yung bata, may skills na talaga, pero number one reason, yung good attitude and leadership niya,” Yude told ABS-CBN News after their sweep vs. University of the Philippines.

When Yude took over their girls’ program in Season 85, Nitura was already in the squad. And while he was already aware of the prowess of the Cainta native, character-building was what Yude focused on in their early years together.  

Adamson University’s JP Yude. Photo from UAAP Media.“Pag hawak ko sa team, sila Shaina, and'yan na yan, nung nag pandemic,” said Yude of Nitura, who also had a brief stint in California Academy, the previous school of another super rookie, University of the Philippines’ Casiey Dongallo.

“Pero dun ako nag-focus, na i-hone yung leadership at attitude niya. Alam mo naman sometimes yung mga bata and how they address their emotions, then as time went by, naturuan na rin siya paano gumalaw ng maayos,” he shared.

“Sa akin kasi, napaka importante ng character. Four years ko na siyang kasama, at nakikita ko na kung okay ang attitude niya at character niya, doon lumalabas yung totoo niyang laro.”

Aside from this, the player-turned-coach emphasized how studying in Adamson also plays a factor in how Nitura has developed into what she is today.

“Alam niya eh, for me ah? Na kung pupunta siya ng ibang school, hindi niya ‘to mararanasan,” Yude said.

“Iba sa Adamson eh. Hindi ko naman pinagyayabang at hindi naman ‘to against sa ibang teams, pero sa amin kasi, hindi lang naman tinuturo mag volleyball. Going back nga, tinuturo namin yung maayos na attitude at character.”

That is why, with the number of players transferring from one school to another in the volleyball scene — much like how Dongallo left University of the East for UP — Yude is more than grateful to have someone like Nitura.

“I really praise God na 'yung bata, mahal na mahal niya yung Adamson,” said the high school champion coach. “Doon niya nakita yung halaga niya. Doon niya nakita yung identity niya, at halaga niya on how she will be leading someday sa mga papasok pang players.”

“So I’m very grateful, kasi nagre-respond ng maayos yung bata,” Yude added.

Yude understands that the best is yet to come for Nitura, but for her to follow up on her impressive showing as a rookie, the formula for her moving forward stays the same.

“Kung anong kaya ibigay ni Lord, kaya Niya ring tanggalin anytime,” he said. “So you always have to show up, to have an impact sa mga kasama mo, at sa mga taong nanonood sayo. Always have good attitude, character, and ‘wag kalimutan kung sino ang nagbigay ng talento na yan sayo.”