4 days ago
Marie Nitura on raising sports-minded children like Shaina, Judiel: 'They were born with grit'
Marie Nitura saw first hand her children's passion for sports take root at an early age and all she did is offer her support.
Years later, her six children, all student-athletes, have fulfilled their sports dreams — and she is still supporting them in all their endeavors.
The two eldest, Toni and Iñigo, previously suited up for the National University women's volleyball team and Rizal Technological University's basketball team, respectively.
Third-born Cyrus, meanwhile, was previously with the Perpetual ALTAs and is now bringing his act to Mapua University where he is primed to be a huge part of the Cardinals' title defense come NCAA Season 101.
Judiel, on the other hand, is currently part of Colegio de San Juan de Letran's women's volleyball squad, which recently booked a return ticket to the finals of NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball tournament.
The young ones, Shaina and Lance, are also in the sports world with the former leading Adamson University women's volleyball team in UAAP and is part of the Alas Pilipinas women's team, while the latter is part of Perpetual Junior ALTAs that recently ruled the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball contest.
READ MORE | How growing up in a family of athletes led Judiel Nitura to Letran
While her children are all naturally athletic, Marie stressed she did not force them into sport as they found it on their own.
"They're born with a ball-heart. I think it's not me, it's divine intervention. Talagang they want ball, they want basketball, they want volleyball. Hindi siya ipinilit sa kanila, talagang hiningi nila," Marie shared to GMA News Online on Tuesday.
"They saw it on TV and then they wanted it. Then ako, support na lang all throughout, super support. Bilang parent, whatever they want support ako and masuwerte lang ako na they want the sport."
Marie admitted that raising six children who all share the same passion is a challenge for her, but she embraces it as part of motherhood, and seeing them succeed on their own makes every effort worthwhile.
"They have different characteristics and attitudes different din naman. In some ways, ang meron lang sila na pareho ay 'yung passion, the heart, and the grit to excel," she added.
'I think they were born with the grit. We're not a family of players, hindi naman kami sikat. We're starting lang.'
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
