Jitte getting counters vs. Protection?

[AcidFiend]

An opponent attacks with Umezawa's Jitte equipped Vendilion Clique. I block with Serra Avenger, using Mother of Runes to give Serra protection from Blue.

I assume during Combat Damage, Clique puts 3 damage on the stack, and when it resolves it is reduced to zero due to protection.

My opponent argued that Clique dealt damage (which was later prevented), so Jitte still received counters. I was saying 'dealt damage' is equivalent to 'successfully dealt damage' not just 'putting damage on the stack'.

[Raptor]

As far as I know, damage do not use the stack anymore.
I know that you can give protection and the jitte won't get the counters.

I'm not perfectly sure about the ruling on this but I think it's along those lines :
He declares attackers,
You declare blockers, he gets the priority.
Then you have the priority and you choose to give protection to your Serra Avenger.
This is now the damage step, and since your creature have protection, Vendillion Clique do not deal damage(the damage are prevented), so jitte doesn't get any counter.

I'm not a rule expert, so you might want another person to confirm what I just said,

[Nonex]

Protection from blue means that damage from blue sources is prevented, and:


615.6. If damage that would be dealt is prevented, it never happens. [...]

[Forbiddian]

Jitte does not get counters.