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 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.                       

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 Saint Benilde a small window to fight back but Shahanna Lleses threw it away with an overcooked attack.