Written by Akari Sports Staff | Photo by The UAAP
ADAMSON promised to bounce back stronger in the next year’s UAAP women’s volleyball wars after its Final Four journey came to an abrupt end at the hands of the surging University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday.
A more mature Shai Nitura is what coach JP Yude wanted to see, as the Lady Falcons try to pick up the pieces of a 16-25, 18-25, 19-25 defeat to the Tigresses that put the curtains down on their season.
“For me it’s a big part na makakasama (namin) si Shaina for three (more) years, then nag-MVP ngayon,” Yude said.
“For me, kailangang maging matured enough sa paglalaro so marami pang tatatrabahuin sa skills, attitude, character during tough times, especially. Kasi doon talaga masusubukan yung on how she leads the team, sa mga teammates niya. Doon namin siya inaasahan sa ganoong bagay.
“I wanted her to grow more. Si Shaina, hindi titigil hangga’t hindi magtsa-champion. Iyon ang attitude niya. She’s continuing kahit mag-fall down naman kami. Yung hope niya sa susunod na years to come is yung championship talaga,” he added.
The Final Four setback will serve as a learning curve for Nitura and the Adamson team, which defeated UST twice in straight-sets fashion in the eliminations. But with the stakes higher, the battle-hardened Tigresses displayed tremendous experience to move up the ladder, as the Lady Falcons crumbled under pressure.
“Yung experience pa ang kulang, yung maturity during the game. I know that in God’s perfect time, maabot din namin yun. Ngayon, kailangan din naming magpasensiya at kung anong dapat trabahuin next season, kailangan trabahuin talaga,” Yude said.
It was Adamson’s first Final Four appearance in three years behind the young core of Nitura, Nigeria’s Frances Mordi, Joy Aseo, and rising playmaker Fhei Sagaysay.
