Adamson super rookie Shaina Nitura expressed gratitude after being named UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year, promising to work even harder next season to help the Lady Falcons improve.
Adamson University’s super rookie Shaina Nitura is keeping her feet on the ground despite a historic debut season that saw her clinch the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Rookie of the Year award.
The 20-year-old outside hitter became the first Lady Falcon to win the award and even finished second in the MVP race behind NU’s Bella Belen.
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Nitura also shattered records during the season, including the most points scored by a rookie in her debut with 33 points and the highest single-game scoring output in UAAP women’s volleyball history with 38 points. She finished with a total of 371 points, another UAAP record.
“First of all, I feel grateful and blessed. Thank you Lord talaga kasi all of this ay dahil sa Kanya and sa will niya,” Nitura told reporters.
The Adamson superstar also credited her support system for the major milestone.
“Thank you rin sa mga coaches ko and sa mga teammates ko na nag-help sa akin para ma-achieve 'yung mga na-a-achieve ko ngayon.”
[ALSO READ: Sensational: Shaina Nitura’s record-breaking UAAP Season 87 by the numbers]
But despite the individual accolade, the 20-year-old emphasized that the work is far from done.
After a slow start to the season, the Lady Falcons came alive late in the second round of the tournament, finishing with a 6-8 record for fifth place.
“Sa akin naman, dagdag kumpyansa at confidence siya para sa upcoming season. Pero back to zero pa rin, kaya trabaho pa rin para both sa UAAP and sa upcoming potential experiences,” said Nitura, who is also part of the 33-player wishlist for Alas Pilipinas.
[ALSO READ: Adamson super rookie Shaina Nitura impresses early after joining Alas Pilipinas training]
Now looking ahead, the Adamson rookie standout promised that she and her team are fully committed to building on their Season 87 run.
“Mapa-promise namin sa Adamson na iwo-work-on namin para maging mas better kami compared this season. ‘Yon naman siguro ang goal ng lahat ng teams—na maging better than the previous season.”