Shaina Nitura (right) was unstoppable in Cebu. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu—Achievements have poured in for Shaina Nitura since beginning her collegiate career with the Adamson Lady Falcons.
The UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year award was the first, something that was made possible after the 20-year-old obliterated long-standing scoring records. She then became a member of Alas Pilipinas, which she helped to a historic runner-up finish in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Nations Cup and two bronze medals in the SEA V-League.
And when she rejoined the Lady Falcons here for the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals, Nitura led the Falcons to a perfect three-game run to the championship after dropping 23 points—15 kills, four blocks and four aces—to beat Ateneo, 25-15, 26-24, 25-20, on Sunday night at Mandaue Sports Complex.
There was no doubt who the Best Player of the Visayas stop was, and the latest accolade has just lit a fire in Nitura to achieve more.
“I’m really, really grateful. None of this would’ve happened if it weren’t God’s will,” Nitura told the Inquirer in Filipino. “For me, my mindset is just to keep moving forward. I say, ‘Thank You, Lord,’ but I also remind myself to move on from these achievements because this isn’t the end of my journey.
“I have to be ready for more.”
More is to lead the Falcons to the Final Four at the very least when Season 88 rolls along. Any awards that come in doing that will be cherry on top.
“No matter how many blessings I receive as an individual or us as a team, coach (JP) Yude always brings us back to the mindset of staying humble all the time,” Nitura said. “Wherever God takes us, we have to stay grounded, because the same way He gave us these blessings, He can also take them away, especially if our hearts and intentions aren’t in the right place.”
Yude, who has been the prolific scorer’s coach since high school, lauded Nitura—who aside from being a stronger player after her Alas stint—for being a natural-born leader.
He also knows that their job for their school is far from done.
“We’re still in the process. Over time, these experiences will help us,” Yude said. INQ
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