Adamson University’s Shaina Nitura and De La Salle University’s Chris Hernandez carved their names into the history books, becoming the first players from their respective schools to win the coveted Most Valuable Player awards in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge.

Both served as the driving forces behind their teams’ stellar campaigns that led to the best-of-three Finals. Nitura spearheaded the Lady Falcons’ unbeaten nine-game streak, while Hernandez anchored a retooled Green Spikers squad with his all-around performance and steady leadership—turning individual brilliance into moments for both Adamson and La Salle.

Nitura’s two-way dominance powers Lady Falcons

Nitura showcased her elite two-way game by finishing as the second-highest scorer in the women’s division with 119 points, built on 107 attacks, six blocks, and six aces. She also cracked the top 10 in three statistical categories—ranking second in spiking (40.84% success rate), seventh in receiving (39.09% efficiency), and ninth in digging (1.88 per set).

The 20-year-old outside hitter from Cainta, Rizal proved her consistency on both offense and defense, carrying Adamson to the Finals. She headlined the V-League Supreme Team in the women’s division alongside teammates Felicity Sagaysay (Best Setter) and Abegail Segui (Best Opposite Spiker).

Joining them were FEU’s Gerzel Petallo (Best Outside Spiker) and Jaz Ellarina (Best Middle Blocker), CSB’s Zam Nolasco (Best Middle Blocker), and Arellano’s Harem Ceballos (Best Libero). Petallo contributed 97 points on 81 attacks, 11 aces, and five blocks, ranking first in receiving (50.70% efficiency), third in serving (0.37 per set), and eighth in spiking (34.04% success).

Segui emerged as the most efficient spiker of the tournament with a 43.57% success rate, tallying 74 points on 61 attacks, 10 blocks, and three aces, while also placing seventh in blocking (0.42 per set). Nolasco topped the league in blocking (0.96 per set), with Ellarina close behind at third (0.73 per set). Sagaysay led all setters (5.71 per set) and ranked second in serving (0.38 per set), while Ceballos placed third in digging (2.63 per set).

Hernandez leads new La Salle era with all-around brilliance

Hernandez stepped up to carry the La Sallian legacy into a new era following the departures of Noel Kampton and Vince Maglinao. The De La Salle Lipa standout emerged as the fourth-best scorer in the men’s division with 107 points on 89 attacks, nine blocks, and nine aces.

His versatility stood out, leading the league in serving (0.32 per set), ranking third in receiving (57.50% efficiency), fourth in digging (1.50 per set), and fifth in spiking (44.50% success rate).

In the men’s division Supreme Team, Hernandez spearheaded the lineup with teammate Issa Ousseini and FEU’s Lirick Mendoza as Best Middle Blockers, UST’s Gboy de Vega as Best Outside Spiker, and Ateneo’s Amil Pacinio as Best Opposite Spiker. Completing the list were UST’s Dux Yambao (Best Setter) and La Salle’s Sherwin Retiro (Best Libero).

Pacinio ranked sixth in scoring with 103 points on 86 attacks, 13 blocks, and four aces, while also finishing second in spiking (49.71%) and eighth in blocking (0.52 per set). De Vega followed as the seventh-best scorer with 97 points on 84 attacks, 10 blocks, and three aces, and ranked sixth in spiking (44.21%).

Ousseini impressed as the fifth-best scorer with 105 points, highlighted by 29 blocks, while also emerging as the league’s top blocker (1.04 per set). Mendoza backed him up as the second-best blocker (0.86 per set). Yambao dominated as the top playmaker (5.37 sets per set), while Retiro anchored the defense, leading in digs (2.32 per set) and finishing second in receptions (68.93% efficiency).