Nitura to soars for PH flag, joins Alas Pilipinas roster for 2025 AVC Nations Cup
Date Posted: June 2, 2025 at 04:33 PM
Adamson University’s volleyball phenom Shaina Nitura continues to soar, this time on the international stage, as she officially joins the 16-woman roster of Alas Pilipinas for the upcoming 2025 AVC Women’s Nations Cup to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam from June 7.
Nitura, who was named UAAP 87 Rookie of the Year after what many consider as one of the most dominant rookie campaigns in modern UAAP history, now makes her senior national team debut, joining fellow first-timers Lams Lamina (National University), Cla Loresco (Far Eastern University), and Leila Cruz (Capital1) as the next wave of Philippine volleyball talents.
Nitura’s breakout season was nothing short of legendary after she shattered the all-time UAAP women’s single-season scoring record with 371 total points, composed of 333 spikes, 25 blocks, and 13 aces—eclipsing the previous marks set by Alyssa Valdez (312) and Mark Alfafara (344).
She also logged six 30+ point games, the most ever by any UAAP player in a single season, punctuated by a jaw-dropping 38-point performance against University of the Philippines, the new high mark for individual scoring in a single match. Her UAAP debut was equally headline-worthy, scoring 33 points, a record for a first-year player’s opening game.
While Adamson fell just short of a Final Four appearance, placing fifth overall, Nitura’s season anchored a young team composed primarily of former Baby Falcons.
Now, Nitura takes her high-scoring arsenal to the international stage and joins an already star-studded Alas Pilipinas lineup led by returning captains Jia De Guzman and Dawn Catindig, whose leadership will be crucial in navigating the tournament’s competitive Pool B, which includes Kazakhstan, Iran, Indonesia, Mongolia, and New Zealand.
Nitura further adds power to an already dynamic outside hitter corps with fellow collegiate star Angel Canino and UAAP alums Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler and Bella Belen. Meanwhile, the middle blocking duties will be handled by Thea Gagate and Fifi Sharma, supported by Dell Palomata and fellow newcomer Cla Loresco.
The playmaking duties remain anchored by De Guzman, with Julia Coronel and Lamina bringing youthful depth to the setter rotation. Alyssa Solomon and Cruz provide power and versatility at the opposite position, while Jennifer Nierva and Catindig will manage the team’s floor defense as liberos.
As Nitura steps into this new chapter, the transition from collegiate standout to international competitor marks both a personal milestone and a larger statement about the depth of talent emerging from the UAAP pipeline.
With her name now etched in the league’s record books and her jersey soon to be worn on the world stage, Nitura represents the new era of Philippine volleyball, fueled by youth, powered by legacy, and ready to shine under brighter lights.
