MANILA — Adamson University’s Shaina Nitura and University of Santo Tomas’ Josh Ybañez are set to headline UAAP Season 88 volleyball after delivering dominant, record-setting campaigns that will see them crowned Most Valuable Players in their respective divisions.
Nitura is poised to make history as the first MVP in Adamson women’s volleyball after powering the Lady Falcons back to the Final Four for the first time in three years, leading the league with 284 points built on 248 attacks, 24 blocks, and 12 aces.
Her all-around brilliance was reflected across multiple statistical categories, ranking third in spiking efficiency (38.15 percent), seventh in service (0.26 aces per set), fourth in receptions (44.48 percent), and eighth in digging (2.11 per set), finishing with a league-best 98.511 statistical points, well ahead of teammate Frances Mordi.
Nitura is also set to claim a Best Outside Spiker award alongside De La Salle University’s Angel Canino, while La Salle captain Shevana Laput will secure her second straight Best Opposite Spiker plum.
Amie Provido of La Salle and University of the Philippines’ Niña Ytang will again be recognized as Best Middle Blockers, while Adamson’s Fhei Sagaysay is expected to take the Best Setter award.
National University’s Shaira Jardio and Sam Cantada will be named Best Libero and Rookie of the Year, respectively.
In the men’s division, Ybañez reclaimed the MVP crown to complete a rare third career win, becoming the first UST player to achieve the feat after bouncing back from an injury-hit Season 87.
The 23-year-old led the league with 90.192 statistical points, ranking fourth in spiking efficiency (45.19 percent), second in aces (0.35 per set), and second in receptions (65.68 percent).
He was also the league’s second-leading scorer with 278 points from 244 spikes, 16 blocks, and 18 aces.
Ybañez will also earn his third Best Outside Spiker award, sharing the honor with National University’s Michaelo Buddin, while NU’s Leo Ordiales will be recognized as Best Opposite Spiker.
De La Salle’s Issa Ousseini and Far Eastern University’s Lirick Mendoza will take the Best Middle Blocker awards, with Mendoza leading the league in blocking and Ousseini emerging as the highest-scoring middle.
Far Eastern University swept the remaining major awards, with Ariel Cacao named Best Setter and Vennie Ceballos taking Best Libero honors after leading the league in reception efficiency and finishing among the top diggers./PN
