Through five full playing years with De La Salle University in the UAAP, professional stints with the now-disbanded F2 Logistics and Cignal in the PVL, and multiple tours of duty with the Philippine national women’s volleyball team, Dawn Catindig has faced plenty of elite scorers.
Catindig is no stranger to defending the Taraflex against some of the sport’s purest spikers and scorers, such as Alyssa Valdez, Sisi Rondina, Jema Galanza, and Bernadeth Pons, while also teaming up with the likes of Kianna Dy and Ara Galang.
However, the Season 80 Finals MVP could not help but marvel at Alas Pilipinas newcomer Shaina Nitura — an Adamson University standout who took the UAAP by storm in her rookie season.
“Grabe, nagulat ako kay Shaina [Nitura] nu’ng first time namin siyang makasama sa training,” Catindig told reporters during the first-ever Pilipinas Live PVL Awards Night held at Novotel Manila in Cubao on Wednesday evening, May 28.
Nitura’s meteoric rise in the UAAP saw her break numerous records: the single-season scoring record, the rookie scoring record, the single-game scoring record, most 30-point games in a single season, and the all-time UAAP volleyball scoring record with a staggering total of 371 points.
But beyond her individual collegiate awards — capped by becoming the first Adamson women’s volleyball player to win Rookie of the Year — Catindig was at a loss for words at Nitura’s sheer athletic ability, a skill that could bolster Alas Pilipinas in four major international tournaments in 2025.
“Sabi ko, ang lakas ng palo niya tapos ang taas tumalon. Buti na lang hindi ko na ‘to naabutan sa UAAP kundi mahihirapan talaga ako,” Catindig added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
It wasn’t only Nitura who caught the attention of the decorated libero.
Catindig believes the current pool of players — primarily composed of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s 33-player wishlist revealed last March — is promising for the continued growth of Philippine women’s volleyball on the international stage.
Alongside Nitura, the likes of the La Salle trio of Angel Canino, Amie Provido, and Alleiah Malaluan; the National University tandem of Bella Belen and Lams Lamina; and Far Eastern University’s Clarisse Loresco were all seen training with national team regulars such as Catindig, Eya Laure, Thea Gagate, and Vanie Gandler.
Such a deep pool of talent is vital to Alas Pilipinas’ aspirations to succeed in four major tournaments: the AVC Women’s Nations Cup, the 2025 VTV International Cup, the Southeast Asian V.League, and the Southeast Asian Games.
“Very promising yung team ngayon and very happy kami kasi marami na yung nagco-compose sa team namin. Very exciting lagi kasi ang daming mga bagong additions and parang nabi-build nang nabi-build yung chemistry namin,” the 28-year-old libero explained.
Beyond Alas Pilipinas’ buildup for their upcoming competitions, Catindig shared that what makes it valuable to have multiple collegiate and professional standouts come together to represent the country is the fulfillment of a long-term vision of continuity in the national program to compete at a high level.
“Siguro yung continuity from last year is yung eagerness ng mga players ngayon to join the national team and yung support pa rin na nakukuha namin sa sponsors namin and sa mga club teams na ina-allow nila yung mga players nila na mag-join sa national team,” she said.
“Although yun nga, may kanya-kanya kaming responsibilities sa club teams namin and sa schools pero in-allow pa rin kami na panindigan yung duty namin na pinatawag kami sa national team.”
