Former La Salle star libero Dawn Macadili-Catindig relished the fact that she didn't have to face the wrath of Adamson ace Shaina Nitura in the UAAP.
There is much fanfare surrounding Adamson ace Shaina Nitura when she first entered training for Alas Pilipinas after UAAP Season 87 was wrapped up.
But if you ask veteran libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig, the amount of talent Nitura has warrants the type of attention and hype that she’s been getting since beginning her career in the UAAP with the Lady Falcons.
That is, when she entered national team training surrounded by more experienced stars, Nitura still stood out among the rest. At least, as far as Catindig was concerned.
Making an appearance at the PVL Press Corps Awards Night last Wednesday, Catindig fawned over Nitura’s skills.
“Grabe, nagulat ako kay Shaina nung first time namin siyang makasama sa training,” Catindig told reporters.
“Sabi ko, ang lakas ng palo niya, tapos ang taas tumalon. Buti nalang hindi ko na ‘to naabutan sa UAAP, kundi mahihirapan talaga ako,” she added.
Catindig’s awe comes as no surprise, as Nitura was breaking records left and right even though she was just in her rookie year for the Lady Falcons.
Though she fell short of leading the San Marcelino-based squad to the Final Four, Nitura broke a number of long-standing records in the UAAP, including the scoring record in a single game, the scoring record in a single season, and the most number of 30-point games in a single season.
Now that she’s heading into another challenge with Alas Pilipinas, Catindig believes that Nitura’s addition, along with the others that have joined them in training, will be a good development for Alas’ busy schedule.
With still a lot to prove after a breakthrough year in 2024, Catindig is very optimistic of what they can do.
“Very promising yung team ngayon and very happy kami kasi marami na yung nagco-compose sa team namin. Very exciting lagi kasi ang daming mga bagong additions and parang nabi-build nang nabi-build yung chemistry namin,” she said.