Adamson nears Final Four berth as Shaina Nitura leads sweep of UP

With one game left in the eliminations, the Adamson Lady Falcons tightened its grip on Final Four contention after a dominant straight-sets win over the UP Fighting Maroons, 25-19, 25-18, 25-16.

The victory lifted the Lady Falcons to an 8–5 record, allowing them to break free from a previous three-way tie with the UST Golden Tigresses and FEU Lady Tamaraws for solo third place. 

But despite the favorable position, nothing is secured yet—Adamson still needs one more win to officially clinch a Final Four berth.

Leading the charge once again was Shaina Nitura, who delivered 26 points on 23 attacks and three blocks, alongside six digs and six receptions in a composed all-around effort with a 55% attack rate.

Yet even as she continues to anchor Adamson’s late-season surge, Nitura insists the team’s mindset remains inward-looking.

“We’re focused talaga sa sarili namin, ‘yung gagawin ng team on how we win, how we’re gonna respond sa challenges na ihaharap sa amin. We focus on ourselves na magrespond well at manalo,” Nitura said.

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Her performance reflected that approach—steady, efficient, and anchored on discipline rather than urgency. For Nitura, the difference-maker isn’t just talent, but how a team responds under pressure.

“Siguro God’s will eh, hindi ko rin alam. Siyempre gusto rin ng kabila. So siguro nagma-matter talaga sinong mas may gusto, and kung sino yung mas nagre-respond ng tama at applicable doon sa sitwasyon na yun,” the outside hitter Player of the Game said.

“I think everyone naman pag may gusto, talagang ipilit gagawa ng paraan, kaliwa, kanan, baba at taas kung gusto mo talaga,” she added.

Adamson’s supporting cast also delivered, with Joy Aseo contributing 10 points and Eloi Dote adding seven. Fhei Sagaysay orchestrated the offense with 21 excellent sets while scoring four markers.

Still, Nitura emphasized that individual output takes a backseat to the team’s collective goal.

“I think sa ginagalawan namin, pinapaboran kami on how we respond talaga as a team, and talagang sineset aside namin yung mga individual, yung mga selfish desires na gusto namin, or yung pansarili. So talagang naka-focus kami on helping the team to get into Final Four, and the same goes with the coaching staff.”

On the other side, UP saw its Final Four hopes officially slip away. Now at 5–8, the Fighting Maroons were eliminated from contention, extending their drought to eight straight seasons without a semifinal appearance. Kianne Olango led the team with 13 points, while Irah Jaboneta and Nina Ytang chipped in five and four, respectively.

For Adamson, the path is now simple—but not easy as the final elimination-round showdown against FEU awaits at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. One more win, and the Lady Falcons finally complete their return. 

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