MANILA – Angel Canino made it clear: heartbreak has hardened De La Salle University into a more mature, more determined contender as the Lady Spikers gear up for redemption in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament.
After back-to-back seasons that fell short of a championship — a bronze finish in Season 86 and a finals sweep at the hands of National University last year — La Salle is banking on growth, grit, and leadership as it seeks to reclaim the crown it last won in Canino’s rookie season.
Now entering her fourth year, the Season 85 Rookie MVP embraces the weight of expectation as one of the team’s senior pillars following the departure of key veterans.
“Siguro mae-expect lang sa amin is to be an Ate inside the court. Hindi lang sa skills pero kundi kung paano namin i-lead ‘yung mga bata sa loob,” said Canino during the league’s Media Day at the TV5 Media Center.
“Ngayong fourth year namin, kami na talaga ‘yung seniors. Wala na talaga kaming ibang Ate, lahat ng mga bata nagde-depend na sa amin. So we have to act as the typical Lady Spikers — ‘yung values, ‘yung ginagalaw as a Lady Spiker. Ipakita ‘yun sa mga bata kasi ‘yun at ‘yun lang din ang magdadala ulit sa amin sa championship.”
La Salle’s recent struggles have served as fuel rather than frustration. Canino admitted that consecutive near-misses have driven the team to push beyond its comfort zone in what could be her final collegiate campaign.
“Siguro sobrang eager kasi to the point na gusto rin namin i-push ‘yung sarili namin, not kung saan lang kami comfortable,” the Negrense volleybelle said.
“Siguro dahil heartbreak after heartbreak, kakaiba rin ‘yung feeling ngayon kasi muntikan na namin makuha ‘yung championship last year. So mas nag-effort talaga kami to work kung saan kami nagkulang last season.”
The Lady Spikers open their Season 88 campaign against Far Eastern University on February 14, carrying not just talent but renewed belief.
“Ngayon, ‘yung dynamics ng team — kahit man bata o matanda ka sa loob, ngayon I can say confidently say na talagang gustong-gusto nila mag-contribute. And kahit man may mga mali kami inside the court, nakakaya na namin bumawi and meron pa ring kumpyansa sa loob ng court,” said Canino./PN
