AFTER a string of dominant and record-breaking performances in UAAP Season 87, Adamson Lady Falcons’ super rookie Shaina Nitura has earned a spot in the final lineup of Alas Pilipinas.
National team head coach Jorge Souza de Brito appears to be ushering in a new generation, tapping into fresh talent for the upcoming AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup.
Now leading the charge for the national team are three recent UAAP Rookies of the Year — Nitura, DLSU’s Angel Canino, and NU’s Bella Belen — forming what’s expected to be a high-powered scoring trio.
Super Rookie In
Nitura, who is about to make her senior national team debut, is anticipated to fuel the team’s scoring demands while also infusing some fresh energy. The Adamson product admits that this is one of her dreams.
“Since high school naman ako, isa sa mga pinaka-major dream ko rin is mapabilang sa national team talaga,” Nitura said in an interview at the media launch of 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League.
The 20-year-old UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year knows exactly what it takes to earn her spot, admitting she’s ready to put in the work. Now officially part of the final lineup, Nitura vows to give it everything she’s got.
“Hindi ko pa talaga masabi kung gaano ako ka-ready, pero for sure, pagtatrabahuhan ko na maging better and qualified for the team,” she went on to say.
Just seven games into her collegiate debut, Nitura made headlines by breaking the UAAP Women’s Volleyball single-game scoring record, dropping a stunning 38 points in a loss to the UP Fighting Maroons on March 16.
She wrapped up her rookie season with an impressive 349 total points—coming from 315 attacks, 23 blocks, and 11 aces—while leading the league with six 30-point games. A true offensive powerhouse.
Made The Cut
Alongside the rising stars, team captain Jia De Guzman returns from her Denso Airybees run to lead Alas Pilipinas as setter, with co-captain and Cignal HD libero Dawn Catindig anchoring the defense.
Also suiting up are PVL mainstays and Alas holdovers: libero Jennifer Nierva, hitters Eya Laure and Vanie Gandler, middle blockers Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, and Dell Palomata, and setter Julia Coronel.
Bolstering the roster are two-time SEA V.League Best Opposite Alyssa Solomon of NU, FEU’s middle blocker Cla Loresco, Capital1’s Leila Cruz, and NU’s playmaker Lams Lamina.
Set from June 7 to 14 in Hanoi, Vietnam, the AVC Nations Cup kicks off a packed calendar en route to the SEA Games in Thailand this December.
