Adamson's Shaina Nitura attacks against the defense of St. Benilde in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Shakey's Super League Preseason Unity Cup, October 24, 2025 at the Paco Arena in Manila. Handout/Shakey's
MANILA -- Shaina Nitura returned to action in style, leading Adamson University to the semifinals of the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup on Friday.
Behind an all-around performance from their team captain, the Lady Falcons overcame College of St. Benilde, 25-18, 15-25, 25-16, 25-22, in a do-or-die quarterfinal affair at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Adamson was playing with its back against the wall after losing in five sets last Tuesday, but Nitura -- who skipped the previous match to rest a minor injury -- came up with a big performance to deny the Lady Blazers another upset.
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She put together a triple double of 16 points (15 attacks, one block), 11 digs, and 10 excellent receptions as Adamson advanced to the Final 4. There, they will be up against fellow UAAP contender University of Santo Tomas, with the Golden Tigresses holding a twice-to-beat advantage.
Frances Mordi backed Nitura with 18 markers while Abegail Segui and Princess Dote poured nine points each in the Lady Falcons' payback from a 26-28, 25-20, 15-25, 25-19, 12-15, loss in Game 1.
"I'm really happy we did it together. I'm really happy right now and hopefully we'll make it to the finals," Mordi said.
"We felt really bad after we lost (in Game 1). However, after receiving some motivation and advice from our captain, Shai Nitura, it really helped us a lot to come back."
The Adamson Lady Falcons celebrate a point against St. Benilde in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Shakey's Super League Preseason Unity Cup, October 24, 2025 at the Paco Arena in Manila. Handout/Shakey's
Adamson, winner of the National Invitationals Cebu Leg, pounced on the Lady Blazers' back-to-back errors midway through the fourth set to spark a run that opened a 23-19 advantage.
Nitura pushed the Lady Falcons at match point, 24-20. A Bella Sapienza service error followed by a Zam Nolasco kill gave CSB a small window to fight back but Shahanna Lleses threw it away with an overcooked attack.
CSB's second stringers came out smoking in the second set, racing to a 6-0 separation that dictated the pace of the frame.
The Lady Blazers kept their distance and even opened a 24-14 gap off a Lleses kill. Adamson saved a point before Lleses put the set away with a powerful hit for the equalizer.
The Lady Falcons returned the favor in the third frame, building a significant separation early to cruise to a 2-1 match lead.
Nolasco finished with 14 points while Rhea Densing had 11 for CSB, which fell to the classification round.