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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Nitura's Adamson, Poyos' UST in explosive stepladder clash

Nitura's Adamson, Poyos' UST in explosive stepladder clash

Published Apr 28, 2026 02:00 pm

At A Glance

  • Shai Nitura and Angge Poyos, two of the league's top scorers, meet in a sudden death when Adamson and the University of Santo Tomas clash in the stepladder round of the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, April 29.
(UAAP Media)
(UAAP Media)
Shai Nitura and Angge Poyos, two of the league’s top scorers, meet in a sudden death when Adamson and the University of Santo Tomas clash in the stepladder round of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, April 29.
Battling in the first round, Nitura and the Lady Falcons go up against the Poyos-anchored Golden Tigresses at 3 p.m.
The victor in the do-or-die match will barge into the next stage, facing the No. 2 seed National University before the ultimate showdown versus the unbeaten De La Salle University.
After dominating their last two encounters, the Lady Falcons enter as favorites not only on record, but also due to their elite arsenal which is led by this year’s Most Valuable Player-in-awaiting Nitura, setter Fhei Sagaysay, and another offensive weapon in Frances Mordi.
The triumvirate has proven its effectiveness this season, helping the Lady Falcons finish No. 3 at the end of the eliminations. However, Nitura brushed off their regular-season success as she remained focused on the challenge ahead.
“Grateful lang ako kasi ‘yong gusto naming makuha [Final Four] is now in our hands, we hold it, and now we focus,” said Nitura. “Our focus is kung ano ‘yong pinaghirapan ng team… eyes on the prize.”
"Balik training pa rin, ganun pa rin naman, after ng kada panalo celebrate lang, pero at the end of the day balik training para mag-improve. Gain ulit ng confidence, gain ng mga challenges at trials na pwede naming makuha para sa next game namin," she added.
Nitura, Mordi, and Sagaysay must go out with their A-games for the well-rested Adamson, knowing UST, which eliminated Far Eastern University last time out, is keen to redeem itself and could possibly pull off the sweet revenge with Poyos, Reg Jurado, and Cassie Carballo looking forward to giving libero Detdet Pepito a memorable swan song.
Pepito became emotional after the Tigresses’ five-set defeat to the Lady Bulldogs. She even admitted pleading with her teammates to pour it all for the España-based squad, which has long been chasing the crown since its last title in Season 72 (2010).
“Laging sinasabi ng mga coaches, wala nang dapat i-doubt. Wala nang dapat i-reserve. Kahit sa training pa lang, all out na talaga,” said Pepito. “Makikita naman natin ‘yan kung ano magiging resulta sa laro. One game at a time talaga kami. Hopefully, malagpasan namin ‘yong next game namin.”
Meanwhile, opening the triple-header at the Big Dome are men’s semifinal games, starting with an 11 a.m. affair between No. 1 Far Eastern University and No. 4 Ateneo which will be followed by a 1 p.m. standoff of reigning champion No. 2 National University against No. 3 UST.
Both holding a twice-to-beat edge, the Buds Buddin-skippered Bulldogs and the Dryx Saaavedra-powered Tamaraws gun for a quick route to the finale.

Related Tags

Shai Nitura Adamson Lady Falcons UAAP UST Golden Tigresses UAAP Season 88 Angge Poyos
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