Adamson Lady Falcons celebrate the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Cebu Leg title. –HANDOUT PHOTO
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — Adamson dominated UAAP rival Ateneo, 25-15, 26-24, 25-14, and completed a three-game sweep to rule the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Cebu Leg on Sunday night at Mandaue Sports Complex here.
Shaina Nitura led another balanced attack by the Lady Falcons, who proved that their team wasn’t just about the offensive prowess of the UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year.
Armed with her Alas Pilipinas stint, the sophomore captain dazzled in front of her growing fan base in Cebu, scoring Adamson’s last six points capped by two aces to deliver the school’s first SSL trophy.
“At that moment, I was just really enjoying the game. I just followed whatever Coach told me to do, all the instructions. Thank God the plan worked and the wisdom God gave Coach really paid off,” said Nitura in Filipino.
“Our mindset was really not to relax. We all know that once you give any team momentum, they can really take off. So as much as possible, our goal was to give our best every set, every chance we got.
The 20-year-old outside hitter finished with 23 points off 15 kills, four blocks, and four aces, being hailed as the Best Player of the Visayas Leg.
Nitura erupted for 28 points in their four-set win over Cesafi champion University of San Carlos on Friday before dropping 15 against University of Southern Philippines Foundation in a straight-set domination.
“I thank God for how my players performed. I’m grateful we got three straight wins in this tournament. I’m really proud of the girls, and it makes me happy to see them making progress little by little,” said Lady Falcons coach JP Yude, who also led the Lady Baby Falcons with Nitura in the 2024 Shakey’s Girls Invitational Volleyball League.
After winning the opening set by 10 points, Adamson dropped a 23-20 advantage after Zey Pacia tied it for Ateneo powered by strong start in the second frame.
Nitura drilled a kill from the back row to reach set point, 24-23, but Pacia equalized it anew with an off-the-block hit–only to commit a costly service error–followed by Lhouriz Tuddao’s ace for Adamson that sealed the two-set lead.
Tuddao scored the timely hits in the third to mount a 19-9 spread before Nitura wrapped up their perfect run with six unanswered points.
Frances Mordi chipped in 12 points. Tuddao finished with seven, while rookie Abby Segui added five, with Fei Sagaysay dishing out seven excellent sets.
“We’ll take this as a chance to keep improving as a team, because our journey doesn’t end here. This is actually just the beginning and part of our preparation for the UAAP,” said Nitura. “If more opportunities come our way, we’ll grab them and make the most of every experience.”
The sweep of Adamson handed the runner-up finish to USC, which upset Ateneo on Saturday night.
Ateneo settled for third place with a 1-2 finish in the four-team, three-day Invitationals Leg 2 in Cebu.
The Blue Eagles were led by Pacia’s 15 points. Faye Nisperos scored nine points.
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SSL, which had National University as the Davao leg champion, wraps up its three-tournament National Invitationals in Luzon with UAAP’s Far Eastern University, NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde and runner-up Letran, and host University of Batangas competing on August 29-31.