Shai Nitura seeks encore against La Salle

 

c/o UAAP Media Team

Standings W L

Women
NU 2 0
UP 2 0
AdU 1 0
FEU 1 1
UE 0 1
UST 0 1
DLSU 0 1
Ateneo 0 2

Men
FEU 2 0
NU 2 0
Ateneo 1 1
AdU 1 1
UE 0 1
UST 0 1
AdU 0 1
DLSU 0 1

Games Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre

9 a.m. – UST vs UE (Men)
11 a.m. – UST vs UE (Women)
3 p.m. – DLSU vs AdU (Men)
5 p.m. – DLSU vs AdU (Women)

COMING off a scintillating 33-point debut, Shai Nitura will be up for a major test as Adamson tries to go for a piece of early lead against De La Salle today (Saturday) in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The Lady Falcons are very much aware of the Lady Spikers' capabilities to rebound from a tough loss.

A victory over La Salle in the 5 p.m. match will push Adamson into a three-way tie with defending champion National University and University of the Philippines at 2-0.

All eyes are on how the Lady Spikers neutralize Nitura, a former high school girls MVP whom the Lady Falcons are pinning to regain their status in the league as one of the top teams.

Nitura not only became the league's new record holder in scoring among rookies but also matched Adamson's mark set by Angela Benting in 2009 in a come-from-behind 21-25, 20-25, 25-12, 25-15, 15-12 victory over Ateneo last Sunday.

"I am grateful kasi grabe yung talent ng mga batang ito," said Lady Falcons coach JP Yude on Nitura. "Kahit na maraming nawala last year, ngayon, may pupuno rin naman sa mga nawala last year."

Aside from Nitura, Adamson drew huge games from Nigeria's Frances Mordi and setter Fhei Sagaysay, making a good impression in their collegiate debut.

"And what we’ll say as the years go by, maging better pa sila and maging best pa sila sa kanilang tatahakin. I am really grateful talaga sa mga bata ito, grabe yung mga talent na meron sila. Hindi lang talent, kundi on how they respond every time to each challenge and situation," said Yude.

De La Salle's 10-match winning streak on opening day ended after the Lady Spikers were swept by the Lady Bulldogs, 23-25, 21-25, 18-25, also last Sunday.

Coach Ramil de Jesus, who has never experienced a 0-2 start in his decorated 28-year career with De La Salle, is looking forward for his troops to respond from the season-opening defeat.

The Lady Spikers lost key players Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel, and Maica Larroza who have all turned pro, leaving Shevana Laput, Angel Canino, and Amie Provido to take the cudgels to carry the tradition.

"Siguro wake up call sa kanila. Lahat naman kapag bagong team, kapag bagong generation mataas ‘yung expectations sa La Salle pa lagi eh. Dahil nandoon ‘yung may Shevannah Laput ka, may Angel Canino, so mataas ‘yung expectations," De Jesus said.

The key for the Lady Spikers on how Jules Tolentino, who became the starting playmaker, will come out with a better performance.

"Pero syempre ‘yung tibay naman ng team, lalo ‘yung spikers, nasa setter ‘yun eh. Siya ‘yung driver kasi ng team, so kung medyo rookie ‘yung team mo, medyo shaky ‘yung team, dapat talaga bigyan mo ng mahabang oras ‘yung setter mo," De Jesus said.

University of Santo Tomas and University of the East seek to rebound from their opening-day defeats in the other women's match at 11 a.m.

In the men's division, all four teams that dropped their season openers will see action. The Golden Spikers play the Red Warriors at 9 a.m., while the Green Spikers take on the Falcons at 3 p.m.

UE interim coach Allan Mendoza liked what he saw of his Lady Warriors after giving the Fighting Maroons fits before falling short of a reverse sweep, 18-25, 24-26, 26-24, 25-13, 13-15, in the opener.

"Sabi ko nga sa kanila, sobra sobra yung ginawa nila. It is more than what I expected sa ilalaro nila. We’re very happy kasi despite what happened to us in the past few months and weeks, hindi kami naging down. Mas naging motivated kami," said Mendoza.

Khy Cepada, Van Bangayan, Riza Nogales, Tin Ecalla, and libero Ange Reyes left everything on the floor for UE on opening day as it tried to pick up the pieces from the abrupt departure of Casiey Dongallo, Jelai Gajero and Kizzie Madriaga.

UST, last season's runner-up, opened its campaign with a 19-25, 25-16, 14-25, 20-25 defeat to Far Eastern University on opening day.

Still reeling from the loss of Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula, the Tigresses hope to regroup right away behind Angge Poyos, Reg Jurado, Cassie Carballo, and libero Detdet Pepito. Rookie Marga Altea showed promise for UST as it's starring middle blocker.

All games are available for free for local and international fans via the Pilipinas Live app. The games will be also broadcast live on free-to-air TV via One Sports (Ch. 6) and in high definition on the UAAP Varsity Channel (Ch. 263 on Cignal TV).