Shaina Nitura and the Adamson Lady Falcons hardly batted an eye in a commanding 3-0 sweep of title contenders UST Golden Tigresses in UAAP Season 88.
Adamson ace Shaina Nitura and the Lady Falcons were up in arms througout their three-set conquest of the UST Golden Tigresses, 27-25, 25-22, 25-12, for a resounding win in UAAP Season 88 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
After two tightly fought sets, the Lady Falcons unleashed their full power on UST in the third canto, and completed the sweep in a lopsided Set 3 victory.
Contrary to usual tendencies of teams when they're up two sets to none, the Lady Falcons continued to push the issue until they were able to secure the victory -- one that helped them improve to above .500 at 3-2.
After the match, Nitura said that it was a habit that was instilled to the team long before.
Regardless of the score, or what the situation is against who they're facing, the Lady Falcons won't do anything at less than 100 percent.
"Kasi since then naman, yun naman ang pinapractice namin. No matter what the situation is, we just have to keep locked-in, focused and just give our all." Nitura said.
"Yung work namin is momentum up palagi and to motivate each other na paangat na huwag maging diesel."
Nitura and Frances Mordi connived across the three stanzas, finishing with 22 and 20 points, respectively, in the victory that helps Adamson create some space in the middle of the standings.
Though currently in the midst of an up-and-down patch this year, Nitura is adamant that they'll be able to steady the ship and go on the steady rise that the Lady Falcons aim for.
"Yun naman ang remind ko sa kanila as our team captain na not to be diesel, na hindi maging rollercoaster yung pinapakitan namin every game. But if kaya and maintain or even to go up, we go up." she said.
It will be easier said than done for Adamson, though, with the rest of the competitive field also eager to topple the Lady Falcons.
But when it comes to their mindset, the San Marcelino squad isn't too keen on putting unnecessary pressure on themselves.
"Siyempre, we never expect anything sa game. But to try to win talaga and play to win. Si Lord na bahala sa resulta. And this is the result of what we did." she said, speaking of their win over UST.
"Sinabi [nga] ni Frances, we've been working for this. Talagang tinatsaga namin every training. Inisan lahat. Pagod. Parang hindi na kami magkonekonek. Pero yun nga, we just have to trust each other and be patient with the system. Kasi may mapapatunguhan lahat ng pinaghihirapan." she added.
Adamson hopes to ride the momentum of their big win against UST when they battle the DLSU Lady Spikers on Wednesday, March 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, the Golden Tigresses, who were paced by Regina Jurado's 18 points, hope to restore order when they face the UP Fighting Maroons also on Wednesday at the same Pasay City venue.
Luisa Morales is a sports writer 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.