Adamson University's Shaina Nitura training with Alas Pilipinas Women. @AlasPilipinasVB/X
MANILA – Shaina Nitura has vowed to work hard as she seeks to fulfill her dream of playing for the women's national volleyball team.
Nitura has recently been called up to train for Alas Pilipinas, which has been preparing for two upcoming contests in Vietnam — the 2025 VTV Cup and the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup.
"Since high school naman ako, isa sa mga pinaka-major dream ko rin is mapabilang sa national team talaga," Nitura said Friday at the sidelines of the press conference for the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League in Manila.
"Hindi ko pa talaga masabi kung gaano ako ka-ready, pero for sure, pagtatrabahuhan ko na maging better and qualified for the team," she added.
Even Kapitana Jia de Guzman previously expressed excitement about training with Nitura after arriving in the Philippines.
READ: Jia de Guzman joins Alas Pilipinas training, gears up for 2025 season
The young but spirited stalwart of Adamson University though was just grateful for the chance to learn from her national team seniors.
"Very grateful kasi ang dami ko talagang natututunan kahit hindi pa nagli-liga. Sila ‘yung mga naka-experience na ng international leagues, so ang dami kong natututunan sa kanila. Very grateful," she said.
READ: Shaina Nitura credits grassroots league amid her rise in college ranks
Unlike her status in Adamson, the 20-year-old spiker expects not to be the "buhatera" in the team, citing loaded talent among the seniors.
"‘Yung ginagawa kong ‘me,’ mas more sila du’n. Hindi ko naman siguro need i-tone down kasi ‘yung ginagawa nila, kahit ‘di ako mag-tone down, nandu’n naman sila."
Nitura also shared that she has been working out her connection with Alas main setter De Guzman.
"Wino-work on pa po namin [‘yung connection namin] kasi parang one week pa lang po kami nagte-training with each other. Ginagamay pa po namin ‘yung isa’t isa to build the team," she said.
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