Shaina Nitura stepped up in a crucial moment for Alas Pilipinas, scoring the match-clinching point in their win over Indonesia in the 2025 AVC Women's Volleyball Nations Cup.
Shaina Nitura may be the youngest player on the Alas Pilipinas roster, but she showed nerves of steel when it mattered most.
Inserted in the fourth set after Alyssa Solomon went down with an apparent ankle sprain, the UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year came through in the clutch.
Nitura scored the match-winning kill to help Alas Women complete a 22-25, 25-23, 25-13, 28-26 comeback win over Indonesia in the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup on Sunday in Vietnam.
“Ako po, very happy po ako kasi very thankful ako—grabe po ‘yung bench, very deep. Kahit sino ipasok, lalaban,” said Nitura. “Ang nakita ko po talaga kanina is teamwork and pagtitiwala sa isa’t isa,” Nitura said.
Shaina finished with seven points in her second straight match off the bench, but her poise and timing in the clutch stood out the most.
Coming off a historic rookie season with Adamson, Nitura understands that she still has plenty to learn, especially playing for the national team.
“Sobrang dami ko pong natututunan,” she added. “Sobrang lawak pa ng kailangan kong iimprove at alamin sa sarili ko para mas gumaling pa po.”
Nitura’s emergence adds more depth to an already stacked Alas Pilipinas rotation that includes Bella Belen, Angel Canino, Eya Laure and Vanie Gandler.
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With two wins in as many games, the Philippines remains unbeaten in the group stage. Up next for Alas Women is a crucial matchup against Iran on Monday, June 9.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada)