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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Nitura-led Lady Falcons punch SSL semis ticket

Nitura-led Lady Falcons punch SSL semis ticket

Published Oct 25, 2025 03:24 am

At A Glance

  • Shaina Nitura returned with a bang as she willed Adamson University to the Final Four in a 25-18, 15-25, 25-16, 25-22, do-or-die quarterfinals win over College of Saint Benilde in the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup Friday, Oct. 24, at the Paco Arena.
Adamson outlasts Benilde to punch semis ticket in SSL. (SSL)
Adamson outlasts Benilde to punch semis ticket in SSL. (SSL)
Shaina Nitura returned with a bang as she willed Adamson University to the Final Four in a 25-18, 15-25, 25-16, 25-22, do-or-die quarterfinals win over College of Saint Benilde in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup Friday, Oct. 24, at the Paco Arena.
The power-hitting skipper’s veteran presence and leadership brought order back to the second-seeded Lady Falcons, who had to use their twice-to-beat advantage after a five-set meltdown in the quarters opener last Tuesday.
Nitura, who skipped the previous match to rest a minor injury, posted a triple-double as she fired 16 points, anchored on 15 kills and a kill block, to go along with 11 digs and 10 excellent receptions for Adamson’s semifinals return since a fourth-place finish in 2023.
The Lady Falcons will cross paths with twice-to-beat University of Santo Tomas on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in the semis of the league’s centerpiece tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.
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.”
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 in the classification round.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines are still contesting the last semis berth as of press time.
The survivor of the Lady Tamaraws-Fighting Maroons sudden death will challenge twice-to-beat four-peat-seeking National University, which is still unbeaten in seven starts, in the Final Four of the competition, supported by Asics, Mikasa, Smart Sports, Summit, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, Eurotel- Apo View Hotel, Batangas Country Club, Executive Optical, Baic Auto Philippines, SM Tickets and PusoP.com as technical partners.
Games in the SSL Preseason Unity Cup are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
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