(UPDATE) DE LA SALLE University’s Angel Canino made a double-double outing of 21 points and 11 excellent receptions in a four-set win against Ateneo de Manila University—and no, she does not feel that she has to carry all the weight in leading her team to victory.
With Lady Spikers’ ace spiker Shevana Laput missing two games as she’s recovering from an illness, the green and white squad remained unbeaten in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament after overwhelming the University of the Philippines, and recovering from a dropped set against the Blue Eagles.
The UAAP Season 85 Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player (MVP) Canino showed her leadership inside the court and put up her fiery kills to extend her team’s winning streak over Ateneo to 16 games.
For Canino, she does not feel that most of the load is on her shoulders or that there’s much expectation for her to deliver.
“I don’t think about taking on all the responsibility because we have a lot of seniors, and there are also many younger players willing to step up. It makes things easier for me because I know that when it comes to playing, I’m not the only one who needs to be relied upon,” she told the media in Filipino after a 25-14, 21-25, 25-15, 25-17 win over Ateneo last Sunday.
La Salle is led by seniors Laput, Canino, middle-blocker Amie Provido, and libero Lyka De Leon. In her third year with La Salle, Lilay Del Castillo dominated at the net, racking up 18 points fueled by eight blocks, seven attacks, and three aces.
Her defensive prowess was on full display as she accounted for half of the team’s 16 total blocks.
“Everyone can be counted on out there, so there’s no added pressure. We’ve all worked hard for this. We just always trust in our training and what we’ve practiced, which has really put up good results. You have to give credit to the younger players because you can see they have so much courage,” Canino also gave flowers to the rookies of the team.
Mikee Santos has been filling in effectively for Laput in the wing position, while rookie playmaker Eshana Nunag kept up with other playmakers in the UAAP.
Canino also shared all the lessons she learned with the Alas Pilipinas women’s national team to further strengthen the Lady Spikers’winning mentality
“That’s really what Amie and I are applying—to not just give in easily. Even if we’re down a set or trailing in the score, we won’t just show that we’ve lost our confidence. This is something that can be seen now. And I really hope the younger players... Can also absorb what we learned in Alas,” said Canino as La Salle holds a 4-0 record.