SISTERS Shaina and Judiel Nitura might’ve taken their acts to different sides of Manila, but they’ll always be drawn together even in the rare occasion they became on-court opponents.
Shaina’s Adamson side made quick work of her older sister Judiel’s Letran squad, 25-18, 25-17, 25-16, in the 2025 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday at the Paco Arena.
Outside hitter Shaina had 10 points and seven digs in the win while opposite hitter Judiel scored 13 points and four digs in defeat.
From growing up in the same household to playing for California Academy together for a time, the Nitura sisters shared how they weren’t really the type of siblings to be vocal and outspoken in terms of how they push each other as athletes in the same sport.
The way they put it, their synergistic bond often needs no words to be reminded how one has the other’s back.
Even the simplest of text messages and being present for each other whenever their busy schedules permit can go a long way between the Nitura duo.
“Kahit wala namang salita pero madalas kasi akong nag-cchat sa kanya lalo ‘pag may game,” said 22-year-old Judiel.
“Big factor na rin yung mag-memessage kami sa isa’t isa. Parang nakakalakas din talaga ng loob lalo and mas lalong mapu-push sa laro dahil nandun yung bawat isa sa amin eh.”
Shaina, 20, added: “Hindi kasi ako ganun ka-vocal sa kanila eh in terms of helping pero for sure naman, ginagawa ko is pinapa-feel ko sa kanila as much as I can na alam nilang naka-support ako. If they need me, nandun naman ako.”
Still shining through
Judiel saw Shaina’s drive to reach for the stars since day one.
As such, with her younger sister now a national team ace and a perennial UAAP record-holder, Judiel couldn’t be prouder to watch Shaina be a star in her own right.
“Sobrang proud kasi nararating niya yung gusto niyang mangyari sa career niya. Isang factor na rin kasi na simula pa lang nung nag-start siyang mag-volleyball, gusto niya na rin talaga makasama sa national team, so nangyari,” Judiel said.
“Siya talaga yung naging buhay sa Adamson. Maraming nag-adjust, maraming in-adjust para sa kanya at sobrang laking tuwa talaga na kasama niya yung mga matataas sa larangan ng volleyball.”
Without Judiel, her parents and her four other athlete-siblings, Shaina wouldn’t have had that luster in her star today.
“Yung [support nila] kasi yung nag-build sa’kin. Sa aming mga magkakapatid naman, yun yung technically nag-build sa’min ngayon at kung gaano kami ka-competitive. It’s because of our family rin. Lagi silang nandyan,” Shaina said.
“Mag-away-away man kami pero sa’min-sa’min din, at the end of the day, mag-tutulungan at mag-tutulungan pa rin kami para matulungan yung isa’t isa at maingat yung isa’t isa.”
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