Shaina Nitura eyes growth after UAAP breakout with shot at Alas roster

UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year Shaina Nitura of Adamson Lady Falcons. She is part of the latest Alas Pilipinas training pool. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —After a record-breaking rookie campaign in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, Adamson rising star Shaina Nitura looks to keep pushing her potential as she joins the Alas Pilipinas training pool.

The newly-crowned  UAAP Rookie of the Year, part of coach Jorge De Brito’s 33-player wishlist, is determined to improve her craft in hopes of making the final national team roster.

READ: UAAP: Bright future ahead for Shaina Nitura, Adamson

“It’s going well for me so far. It still depends on whether I make the final lineup or not. Right now, I’m focused on improving myself so I can be qualified to join,” said Nitura in Filipino after receiving her Rookie of the Year award on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball finals at Mall of Asia Arena.

Alas Pilipinas setter Jia De Guzman, fresh from her recent Japan SV.League campaign, is excited to lead and learn from the “next generation” players–and Nitura is one of them. 

“I’m really excited because I’ve seen how she plays for Adamson, she’s also team captain for her team so I’m really curious how she will play in the system of Alas also,” De Guzman told the reporters. “She’s very strong  has a high volleyball IQ. I’m sure we’ll have great conversations once we’re training together.”

READ: Shaina Nitura’s smashing UAAP rookie season comes to a close

Despite Adamson missing the Final Four with a 6-8 record, Nitura tallied a rookie-best 371 points across two rounds and finished second in the MVP race behind Bella Belen with 74.26 statistical points.

“First of all, I feel really grateful and blessed. Thank you to the Lord—this is all because of Him and His will. I’m also thankful to my coaches and teammates who helped me achieve everything I’ve accomplished so far,” said Adamson’s first top rookie in the women’s volleyball Final Four era.

Adamson Lady Falcons’ Shaina Nitura during a UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“For me, it’s a confidence booster heading into the next season. But I know I’m starting from zero again, so it’s back to the grind both for the UAAP and any other possible opportunities that come.”

Aside from trying to earn a spot at Alas Pilipinas, Nitura vows to work harder to lead the Lady Falcons to a better UAAP season next year. 

“What we can promise to Adamson is that we’ll work on being better than we were this season. I think that’s the goal of every team, to keep improving each year,” she said.