NCAA volleyball player Judiel Nitura grew up playing basketball — her first love.
But her parents' concerns about her safety forced her to let go of the sport, leading her to finding another that she would fall in love with just as hard.
"Pinakauna kong sport is basketball pero hindi lang ako pinayagan ni mama na mag-basketball nu’ng grade school ako kasi natatakot siyang masaktan ako kasi nga physical nga," the 21-year-old Nitura told GMA Integrated News in an interview.
"Tinry ko lang talaga ‘yung volleyball nu’ng Grade 4. Nu’ng Grade 5 pinupush ko pa rin kay mama na mag-basketball ako pero ayaw talaga ni mama."
[My first sport is basketball but my mom didn't allow me to play basketball in grade school because she was afraid I'd get hurt because it was very physical... I just tried volleyball in Grade 4. In Grade 5, I was still pushing my mom to let me play basketball but she still wouldn't let me.]
Fortunately for her, she took to the sport quickly. After finishing senior high school at Adamson University, she attended a one-day league with her friend Miracle Mendoza, where she was scouted by former Colegio de San Juan de Letran coach Mike Inoferio. She impressed the veteran tactician, and Nitura was asked whether she was willing to suit up for the Letran Lady Knights in the NCAA.
"Nagkataon na magfi-first year college pa lang ako tapos nirecruit na ako ni Coach Mike pero undecided pa rin ako no’n kasi bukod sa hindi ako sure, may mga schools akong tinitignan pa and if mag-stay ba ako sa Adamson or hindi," she added.
[I was about to enter first year college then and I was recruited by Coach Mike but I was undecided at the time. I wasn't sure yet and I was looking at other schools and also considering if I would stay at Adamson.]
Her journey would take her to Muralla, and she didn't disappoint in her rookie year in NCAA Season 98.
Nitura garnered 89 points, becoming Letran's top scorer. She also emerged as the league's seventh best spiker with a 34.58 success rate as her Lady Knights finished in fifth place.
"Nasa dugo na talaga namin kasi ‘yung father namin talaga atleta talaga siya," Nitura shared.
[It's in our blood because our father is really an athlete.]
Judiel's father, who stands at 6-foot-2, used to play basketball and also has an interest in badminton and golf while all five of her siblings are also into sports.
Their eldest, Toni, used to play for the National University in the UAAP and was a teammate of Jaja Santiago back in the day. Their second eldest, Iñigo, suited up for Rizal Technological University's basketball team.
The third is Cyrus, who suited up for the Perpetual ALTAs in NCAA Season 98 and 99 but has decided to transfer to Emilio Aguinaldo College.
Their fifth sibling, Shaina, has been making a name for herself after steering Adamson University to the UAAP Season 86 girls volleyball title. Shaina, 19, was named the Season and Finals MVP.
And finally, their youngest, 18-year-old Lance, is part of Perpetual Junior Altas' squad that wound up as runners-up in the recent NCAA Season 99 juniors basketball tournament.
Growing up in a household whose love for sports is as intense as hers, Nitura is hoping to make her own mark.
"Sana mas may maipakita pa ako this Season 99 para din makatulong sa Letran."
[I hope I can show more this Season 99 so I can help Letran.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
