Ramil De Jesus, Canino heap praises on Adamson super rookie Nitura

MANILA, Philippines — Add De La Salle Lady Spikers coach Ramil De Jesus and Angel Canino to those impressed by Adamson Lady Falcons super rookie Shai Nitura.

Having faced Nitura and the Lady Falcons for the first time this UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tourney on Saturday, De Jesus and Canino couldn't help but heap praises to the super rookie who pumped 16 points.

The Lady Spikers got the last laugh, though, through a 25-21, 26-24, 25-20 win at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, rebounding from their season-opening loss to the NU Lady Bulldogs last Sunday.

"The kid really plays superb," said De Jesus, a 12-time champion coach.

"Her court instincts are superb and you can really see how high her court IQ is. Her leadership come her sophomore or junior year, she would really be in a league of her own."

Canino, a super rookie herself in Season 85 in 2023 when she emerged as the top rookie and the MVP no less in that La Salle championship year, gushed over Nitura's versatility.

She went on to say that the 5-foot-8 Nitura, the Season 86 high school MVP also with Adamson, doesn't play like a rookie.

"She made it hard for us with our preparation. As coach Ramil said, she had a lot of variations and she's so brave that she can make a way whoever you put in front of her. I'm really impressed with her because she's really brave and she doesn't play like a rookie."

Frustrated with the loss, meanwhile, Nitura politely declined interviews from the media post-game.