Just like Adamson high school pride Shaina Nitura, Abegail Segui begins her collegiate career with the Lady Falcons in UAAP Season 88.
Gone were the days of a one-sided Adamson Lady Falcons offense in UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball.
Thanks to more talent moving up from AdU's high school program that produced ace Shaina Nitura, there are now more options in the Lady Falcons' arsenal.
Among them is opposite spiker Abegail Segui, who shone in her first game in the collegiate scene.
Segui started and produced eight points, highlighted by two aces, she topped with five digs for the Lady Falcons in their dominant 25-19, 25-18, 25-10 victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles Sunday, Feb. 15.
She admitted that the transition was not easy.
“Siyempre po, first year. It wasn’t easy for me kasi 'yong sa process, mahirap sa off-season, sinusubok talaga," Segui said.
Sophomore Nitura continued to be the star of the show as she turned in 16 points, all but one coming off attacks.
[RELATED STORY: Shaina Nitura keeps focus as Adamson seeks Final Four in UAAP Season 88]
But the supporting cast also made their presence felt, with Frances Mordi backing Nitura with 14 markers in the 79-minute match.
Shaina Nitura topscores for the Adamson Lady Falcons in their opening win in UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Just doing her part
Segui knows that pressure will follow her in her collegiate career, especially after Nitura’s dream rookie season.
[RELATED STORY: Record breaker: Shaina Nitura’s historic stats for Adamson in UAAP Season 87]
But for Segui, the best way to handle it is just by doing her part in training and in the actual games to contribute to the team's overall success.
“Pressure is there kasi talaga. Pero, hinayaan ko lang. Naglalaro lang ako nang maayos, nagti-training nang maayos,” Segui said.
“Nandito sina coach, sina Shaina na nagga-guide sa'kin every training. So ngayong game, wala akong ginawa kung hindi maglaro, gampanan 'yong role ko as an opposite, and kung paano ko i-lift up 'yong iba ko ring kasama.”
Joy Aseo, Frisha Divinagracia and Lana Barrera are the other newbies in the team.
Now at 1-0, the Lady Falcons quickly get their biggest test in defending champion National U when they duke it out Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Espana.
[ALSO READ: Talent and Mentality: Ateneo’s Zel Tsunashima names all-time UAAP idols]
Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles, whose best scorer Alexia Montoro tallied only five markers, aims to brush off its opening setback as they clash with University of the Philippines at the MOA Arena Sunday, Feb. 22.
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Luisa Morales is a sportswriter with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.