Rookie Shaina Nitura proved she's as good as advertised as she unleashed a record game to power Adamson University to a 21-25, 20-25, 25-12, 25-15, 15-12 comeback win against Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament on Sunday.
The homegrown Adamson product broke the scoring record for a rookie in a debut game as she detonated for 33 points anchored on 28 attacks, four blocks, and one ace while also grabbing five digs and seven receptions.
With Nitura leading the way, the Lady Falcons were able to buck a slow start and repulse the Blue Eagles to start their campaign on the right note with a 1-0 card while Ateneo slipped to 0-1.
Adamson dug deep after going down 0-2 with Nitura and the rest of Adamson opening the third and fourth sets strongly and winning both sets convincingly to drag Ateneo to a deciding fifth set.
Nitura then took over in the final frame as the high-flying rookie soared for three consecutive attacks that saw them holding on to a slim 3-2 lead before she put the roof on Lyann De Guzman on the latter's opposite attack, bringing Adamson to a 9-7 cushion.
Zel Tsunashima and Nitura exchanged points before the former was stretchered off the court for an apparent foot injury after accidentally stepping on her teammate's foot.
The incident, however, did not slow down both teams but momentum was clearly on Adamson's side as Nitura unleashed a tough cut shot before she completed a combination play that sent them to the match point.
Frances Mordi then put the punctuation by evading the double-woman block of AC Miner and Taks Fujimoto for the game-winning point.
Mordi provided the huge lift for Nitura as she posted 23 points off 16 attacks, five blocks, and two service aces while Jen Villegas chipped in eight markers as they stepped up in the absence of Mayang Nuique, who also had an injury early in the first game.
Miner, who transitioned from middle blocker to an opposite hitter, paced Ateneo with a team-high points while Yvana Sulit and Tsunashima each tallied 10 markers.
