MANILA, Philippines – Though they have not yet received a formal invite from the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), some of the brightest UAAP stars expressed excitement after being included in the wish list of Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito.

During the game slate on Saturday, March 29, four of the new names played: Shaina Nitura of Adamson, and the La Salle trio of Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Provido, and Shevana Laput.

All four expressed gratitude but insisted they were focused on the ongoing collegiate tournament first.

Nitura, a rookie wing spiker, is the league’s leading scorer at 209 total points through nine games for an average of 23.22 per contest.

However, the neophyte team captain’s squad is wallowing in the back end of the standings with a 3-6 record, so valuable leadership lessons are warranted.

“I want to be calm inside the court and learn how they handle the on-court challenges, and be much better how I handle things,” Nitura said in Filipino after a straight-sets loss to Adamson.

“The UAAP veterans have so much to teach, so I’m looking forward to playing with them. It boosts my confidence and morale and motivates me to be better since they see my potential as a player,” she added.

La Salle lineage feeding Alas legacy

Aside from the three players, there are already several Lady Spikers in the training pool.

Among them are teammate Angel Canino and former teammates Julia Coronel, Mars Alba, Justine Jazareno, Fifi Sharma, and Thea Gagate.

Longtime La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus also became national team head coach multiple times in the past.

“There is trust in La Salle from the national team, and at the same time, La Salle has been winning championships the past few years, and maybe they want something that the players could adapt to,” said Malaluan.

Provido, on the other hand, is aware of the pressure she is feeling as she follows the footsteps of past La Salle champions such as Gagate, former skipper Aby Marano, Mika Reyes, among others.

Meanwhile, Laput, who has already emerged as an MVP candidate in her third year of playing the sport, wants to fraternize with other players.

“I am very happy with how I am growing as a player, but I know that in a way, I am still a rookie, and I am still trying to improve, and this is all really a blessing. I am just happy to be here right now and have the opportunity,” remarked the Fil-Aussie spiker.

“I don’t know many other volleyball players here. So, it’s nice to know that I have people who have my back.”

Just last Thursday, March 27, the PNVF revealed 33 names who will be invited to the tryouts to form a pool for the AVC Challenge Cup, Southeast Asian V. League, and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.

Other current UAAP stars also made a comeback to the national team radar like NU star quartet Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Vange Alinsug, and Lams Lamina, who all likewise expressed excitement at their inclusion in the expanded list.

A source close to the PNVF simply put that the players were chosen due to their performance in their respective teams. – Rappler.com