Season’s MVP Shaina Nitura’s breakthrough campaign ends in setback, but Adamson sees bigger future ahead 

For a season built on breakthroughs, Adamson’s story hit a hard stop in the semifinals—but not without promise for what comes next.

The UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball campaign, where Shaina Nitura emerged as Most Valuable Player, was momentarily halted after the Adamson Lady Falcons suffered a straight-sets defeat to the UST Golden Tigresses, 25-16, 25-18, 25-19, in the first phase of the stepladder semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

The loss ended Adamson’s run in the Final Four, a stage they had reached for the first time in years—but for head coach JP Yude, the result was less about closure and more about a beginning.

“Siyempre, first time na makapasok sa Final Four, pero I’m very glad na tinuruan ako ni Lord on how to respond properly to encourage and motivate pa rin yung players,” he said.

Yude, who guided a young core led by sophomore standouts Nitura and Best Setter Fhei Sagaysay, acknowledged that inexperience was exposed against a more seasoned UST squad.

Adamson struggled heavily in attack, finishing at just eight percent efficiency, with Nitura converting only 12 of 46 attempts while Sagaysay was limited to 11 excellent sets. Still, the coach chose to focus on growth rather than the result.

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Truly heartbreaking . But I really love how Shaina Nitura always comforts her teammates every time they lose. I remember round 1 games nila parang nawawalan siya ng patience with both herself and her teammates pero look, iba na maturity niya. Dasurv ang MVP!!! #UaapSeason88 https://t.co/YSL3a49h5L

— Horiwatanabe (@Horuizone) April 29, 2026

Even in defeat, Nitura continued to shoulder responsibility for Adamson, finishing with 13 points, 11 excellent receptions, and seven digs in her first collegiate postseason appearance.

The Season 88 MVP had already built a historic run prior to the semifinals, leading the league in scoring and ranking among the Top 10 in multiple categories—third in spiking, sixth in serving, eighth in digging, and eighth in receiving—amassing 284 total points and 98.51 statistical points.

Her all-around brilliance also earned her a share of the Best Outside Spiker award alongside De La Salle University’s Angel Canino, further cementing her breakout season.

For Adamson, meanwhile, the focus shifts from results to development.

“Sa susunod, gusto kong makita yung maturity niya every time. Kasi hindi naman nabibigay sa player agad-agad yun, through experience din,” Yude said.

And while the season ends earlier than hoped, Adamson walks away with something they’ve lacked in recent years as postseason exposure and a young MVP whose journey is only just beginning.

The challenge now shifts from proving she belongs among the league’s best to learning how to carry that status into deeper, more pressure-filled battles in the seasons ahead.

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