MANILA, Philippines — Labeled as a prized rookie and named team captain right away, Shaina Nitura was well aware of the high expectations and pressure that come with it when she joined a young and rebuilding Adamson team after a successful high school campaign.

Nitura showed the hype was real, setting the rookie scoring record with 33 points to power Adamson’s comeback win over Ateneo in her UAAP Season 87 debut Sunday.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Talagang finorsee ko na lahat ng pressure, lahat ng hirap, lahat ng challenges na pwedeng mangyari kasi nga, rookie year ko tapos captain pa ako so I think, ready enough naman ako and trained na yung utak ko to face that challenges,” said Nitura, who broke University of Santo Tomas’ Angge Poyos’ previous mark of 31 last season, after the Lady Falcons’ 21-25. 20-25, 25-12, 25-15, 15-12 victory at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: UAAP: Rookie Shaina Nitura leads Adamson rally past Ateneo

Adamson’s Shaina Nitura after the new rookie scoring record and tying former Lady Falcon Angela Benting’s career-high in 2009. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/InzqbMawxc

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 16, 2025

Nitura continued a trend of super rookies taking UAAP women’s volleyball by storm after National University’s Bella Belen in Season 84, La Salle’s Angel Canino in Season 85 and Poyos and former University of the East star Casiey Dongallo last year.

Article continues after this advertisement

With Nitura and the Baby Lady Falcons under coach JP Yude reaching the collegiate level, the pride of Cainta, Rizal seeks to achieve the same success.

“Yun naman po ang balak talaga namin kasi sayang yung chemistry na buo namin ng high school, if hindi namin i-aakyat why not to continue hanggang college,” said Nitura, who became the highest Lady Falcons scorer in a single game since Angela Benting in 2009.

More than improving her skills, Nitura puts a premium on having a tough mindset as she is tasked to lead the Lady Falcons despite being a rookie.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round

“Since nung nag-training kami, hindi lang physical yung tini-train ko, even my mind and my mental toughness niready ko siya kasi alam naman po natin gano  kadramatic yung  olleyball sa Pinas, so nakaready naman yung mind ko at any challenges,” Nitura said. “Though hindi ko masasabi na palagi akong lalabanan ko yun araw-araw, mayroon tayong down moments. But as much as kaya kong labanan yung mga gano’ng bagay, lalabanan po ako.”

It may be an explosive debut but Nitura said she still needs more improvement after a slow start, which she overcame through the reminder of coach Yude to just play her game.

Nitura will face a former rookie MVP in Canino when Adamson battles La Salle Saturday next week at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

“Given naman na po siya talaga na malakas po yung mga players nila especially po kay ate Angel pero we’re just gonna give them a fight kung ano yung kaya namin, at yung training namin and then, let’s see the results kung sasangayon ba sa amin,” she said.