Young ‘Phenom’: Shaina Nitura grateful anew as another Alyssa Valdez scoring record falls
MANILA, Philippines – As this one-of-a-kind UAAP women’s volleyball rookie campaign continues for Adamson’s Shaina Nitura, surpassing another record set by Alyssa Valdez is again something to be thankful for.
Nitura, whose 314 points eclipsed Valdez’ former single-season scoring record of 312 set back in UAAP Season 77 in 2015, was rendered almost speechless after her 37-point performance on Saturday, April 12.
“Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mafe-feel ko doon. Kasi, kung sa akin po talaga, sobrang bonus niya and thankful ako kay Lord na nabibigyan ako ng opportunity na ganoon, na in that way, may mga good things na mangyayari sa akin,” Nitura said after a four-set upset of Final Four-seeking FEU.
(I do not know what to feel. Because it feels like a big bonus for me, and I’m thankful to the Lord that I have been given an opportunity, in that way, good things will happen to me.)
“Hopefully, many offers will come soon. I do not know what to feel but I’m very happy that the team won. Period.”
Despite being one of the youngest in the team, her play mirrors that of a veteran spiker, already breaking four UAAP women’s volleyball records in the process, the latter two owned by the former Ateneo superstar.
Nitura — who opened the season with a then-rookie record 33 points — added four more 30-point outings, had the most points in a single game (38), and accumulated the most points in a single season (314) already, with two games remaining.
As the team rides a two-game win streak despite being already out of Season 87 Final Four contention, Nitura, also the team captain, hopes to inspire the rest of her team.
“Actually, yun yung pinakanagfu-fuel sakin. Parang ang sarap nilang kalaro, ang sarap nila maging kakampi. Parang ang gaan,” said the league’s leading scorer.
(Actually, my teammates fuel me to be better, because it’s fun to play alongside them, it feels like the game is a bit lighter.)
“Kasi alam kong yung gusto ko, gusto rin nila so mas smooth yung takbo namin. So sobrang laking tulong nun na mapush pa ako magpursigi sa pang araw araw na training at sa career na meron ako. Kasi nakikita ko na ginugusto rin nila.”
(We both want to have a smoother run, and it helps me push myself to be better every day in training and in my career, since I see them wanting them to be better as well.) – Rappler.com