Adamson's Shaina Nitura in action against University of San Carlos in the Cebu leg of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals, August 23, 2025 at the Mandaue Sports Complex in Manduae City, Cebu. Handout/SSL
MANILA -- Shaina Nitura led the way in Adamson University's hard-earned win over University of San Carlos in the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Cebu Leg, Friday at the Mandaue Sports Complex in Mandaue City.
The Lady Falcons dropped a tight second set before riding Nitura's heroics to a 25-16, 31-33, 25-18, 25-12 in Day 1 of the Cebu leg of the competition.
Nitura, a member of the Philippine women's national volleyball team, torched USC for 28 points -- 15 of which came in the third and fourth sets as the Lady Falcons bounced back after the reigning CESAFI champions took the second frame.
The winger pounded 22 attacks, tallied four kill blocks and two aces for Adamson.
Frances Mordi added 11 markers, Red Bascon scored nine while Mary Ann Del Moral and Kim Rocha submitted eight points each for the Lady Falcons, who survived an atrocious 36-error outing.
"Actually, kailangan lang namin ulit bumalik sa basic, sa tamang mindset na hindi pwedeng ganoon ang mindset namin na porke't di sila UAAP teams. Kasi ang lakas din nung ibang teams," Nitura said.
"Yun nga ang sinasabi ko na dapat we give respect sa lahat ng opponents na kakalabanin namin kasi lahat may ibubuga. Sabi nga natin iba na talaga ang Philippine volleyball. Lahat talaga may palag na."
USC gave Adamson a tough time in the second frame after head coach JP Yude fielded his second stringers to give them exposure and rest Nitura.
The Lady Falcons went down, 21-24, before Nitura willed them back in the game saving seven set point advantages in the extended second frame. Nitura tied it at 31 but committed a costly service error before Julianne Yu ended the marathon set with a kill.
Adamson responded by flexing its firepower led by Nitura.
"I'm really happy sa ipinakita nila on how they responded sa nangyari noong second set. Yun ang gusto nating makita na kahit natatalo ng isang set, eager agad makabawi by the next set," Yude said.
The Lady Falcons will try to make it two in a row against University of Southern Philippines Foundation on Saturday in Day 2 of the competition, which has Asics, Mikasa, Smart Sports, F2 Logistics, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, SM Tickets and PusoP.com as technical partners.
Angel Galinato led USC with 14 points, Yu had nine while Ghanna Suan added eight markers.