SHAINA Nitura’s late push to make the Alas Pilipinas Women’s Final 12 for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is all but complete.
Nitura landed in Nagoya on Sunday afternoon with the national team, practically confirming her addition to the squad after initially being ruled out of the continental showcase because of an ankle injury that required surgery.
READ: Nitura eyed as late Catindig replacement in Alas' Asiad roster
The development comes after an updated athlete delegation list on Saturday omitted veteran libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig and included Nitura, although the latter’s addition remained subject to clearance from the Asian Games organizers.
Nitura was also absent from the original 22-player pool’s final composition after the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) previously said she would miss the Games due to her injury.
But with Nitura now in Japan and Catindig not joining the team’s trip, the former Adamson standout appears poised to take one of the 12 spots.
Nitura gives head coach Taka Minowa another potent option on the wing after earning UAAP Season 88 MVP honors in her sophomore campaign.
Her return also reshapes the balance of a squad that had been preparing to enter the Games without one of the country’s brightest young scorers.
The projected final 12 now consists of captain Jia de Guzman, Angel Canino, Bella Belen, Eya Laure, Alyssa Solomon, Mars Alba, Justine Jazareno, Thea Gagate, Amie Provido, Nina Ytang, Dell Palomata and Nitura.
Catindig’s absence, meanwhile, leaves Jazareno as the lone libero in the projected final lineup.
The Philippines faces a daunting opening assignment in Nagoya, with reigning Asian Games champion China awaiting on September 16 before Kazakhstan follows a day later.
China has dominated the women’s volleyball tournament at the Asian Games, winning nine of the last 11 editions.
For Alas Women, the late roster twist means a familiar young star could now get her first taste of the Asian Games stage, with Nitura’s arrival giving Minowa another attacking weapon just as the Philippines prepares for its toughest test of the tournament.
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